Research Briefing
On 25 June 1979 the House of Commons agreed to establish a new system of departmental select committees to scrutinise the expenditure, administration and policy of government departments. This paper briefly sets out the historical background to the departmental select committees system before charting their development over the last 30 years, considering evaluations made of the system and recent proposals for reform.
Research Briefing
This paper covers parts 1 to 3 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]. The Bill implements a number of community empowerment measures outlined in the white paper - Communities in Control: real people, real power (Cm 7427). Other provisions concern a) tenants' representation, b) audit of entities connected with local authorities, and c) replacement of the Boundary Committee for England with an independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England. See also Library Research Paper 09/46, for coverage of parts 4 to 8 of the Bill which relate to economic and regional matters and construction contracts.
Research Briefing
This Note sets out brief details of the system of pay and allowances in several European and Commonwealth countries, the European Union, and the House of Lords. It also includes information on the employment of relatives by Members of Parliament in other countries.
Research Briefing
Looks at factors influencing trends in Defined Benefit pensions schemes and recent policy initiatives.
Research Briefing
The purpose of this Bill is to make the payment of rate relief for small businesses in England automatic. Currently, businesses have to apply to their billing authority once within each revaluation period (five years) to receive the relief during this period.
Research Briefing
The three major political parties have all recently proposed that the UK should adopt a 'British Bill of Rights' of some kind. This paper outlines these proposals and sets them in context.
Research Briefing
This Note sets out the historical background to the current laws on official secrecy. It also provides a brief summary of notable cases which have involved official information legislation.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the legal and historical background to the restrictions on royal marriages, and considers their application in the case of the marriage of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles.
Research Briefing
This Note offers a summary of coronation procedures and sets out the statutory requirements for the Coronation Oath.
Research Briefing
Religious hatred. By Lucinda Maer. SN/PC/3189.
Research Briefing
This Note considers proposals for the introduction of a 'Citizens' Initiative' process in the UK, where citizens would be able to petition for referendum questions to be placed on ballot papers of for legislation to be introduced in Parliament.
Total results (page 5 of 6)