Details

Name

H.M.S.O.

Brief Biography

founded 1786, British

Occupation

Publisher

Description

The establishment of His Majesty's Stationery Office (also known as Her Majesty's Stationery Office during the reign of a queen) took place in 1786 as a consequence of reforms within the Royal Household and Civil Service, championed by influential Whig Member of Parliament, Edmund Burke. These reforms aimed to eliminate the corrupt and extravagant practices that thrived under the old system of patronage, where individuals with influence at Court were rewarded. Under the previous system, patents granted by the Crown for the supply of stationery to government departments allowed the patentee to purchase goods at low prices and sell them at exorbitant rates. To distance itself from these corrupt practices, the newly-formed HMSO took measures in 1806 when the Treasury mandated that paper, parchment, pens, and sealing wax should be procured through public and transparent competition. In 1812, this regulation was expanded to include all forms of stationery, with the requirement that the lowest bid be accepted in every case and be open for public scrutiny.

During the First World War, the expansion of HMSO placed significant demands on its organization. Consequently, in 1921, a new structure was implemented, which remained largely unchanged for the following five decades. Throughout this period, HMSO faced increasing demands, including the publication and printing of a wide range of materials such as war-time posters, scientific, technical, and medical books, as well as practical guides on subjects like physical training and fruit preservation.

On April 1, 1980, HMSO became one of the first trading funds to operate on a commercial basis instead of being funded by Parliamentary Vote. In 2005, with the implementation of the EU Directive on the re-use of Public Sector Information, it was recognized that a dedicated body was needed to advise and regulate the re-use of public sector information. This led to the establishment of the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI). HMSO continues to exist and carry out its core activities, operating within OPSI.