These minutes cover the period from 20 Apr 1880 until 6 Sep 1966. The committee was titled the Executive Committee, however on the 31 Oct 1934 the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee of the Cunard Steamship Co Ltd were merged to form the Executive and Finance Committee. There was no longer a need for two separate Committees as much of the work of the committees had been passed to Cunard White Star Ltd. The name of the committee was changed again in Jul 1962 to the General Purposes Committee. The Committee reported to the Board of the Cunard Steamship Co Ltd and dealt with its ordinary current business including such matters as meeting with Captains and Chief Engineers, the appointment of office and sea going staff, accounts, shares, departmental reports, shipbuilding, ship activities, and any other general business.

Each volume has its own alphabetical index except D42/B4/1-2. The first 33 volumes are in manuscript, and thereafter the volumes are typed. After 1934, these volumes provide less detailed information, as much of the day to day work of the company passed to the newly formed Cunard White Star Ltd.

• Agenda: Executive Committee: Cunard Steamship Co Ltd, 1881 - 1903 D42/B5.
• Finance Committee Minutes: Cunard Steamship Co Ltd, 1880 - 1934 D42/B7.
• Executive Committee Minutes: Cunard White Star Ltd, 1934 - 1962 D42/B6.