• Research Briefing

    Referendum in Wales

    On 3 March 2011 a referendum was held in Wales to decide whether the National Assembly for Wales should gain the power to legislate on a wider range of matters in one go. This was in contrast to the previous situation, in which it had to gain approval from the UK Parliament each time it wanted to expand the range of matters. This note gives an account of the referendum campaign and vote, and the implications of this in constitutional terms

  • Research Briefing

    Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill

    The Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill is a Private Member’s Bill. The Bill applies to draft primary legislation and to secondary legislation published before the parent Act has gained Royal Assent. In these cases, it requires that the draft contain a statement setting out its legal effects on each nation of the United Kingdom, and that a memorandum accompany the draft showing its financial effects on each nation.

  • Research Briefing

    Scotland Bill [Bill No 115 of 2010-11]

    The Scotland Bill was published on 30 November 2010, and is scheduled for second reading on 27 January 2011. The Bill contains provisions to give the Scottish Parliament greater responsibility for raising its own revenue, in addition the borrowing powers of the Scottish Government are extended. The Bill also changes the boundary of devolved powers by amending some of the reserved matters in the Scotland Act 1998. Some new matters are devolved, some are reserved. The Bill also proposes small changes to provisions concerning the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.

  • Research Briefing

    Referendum in Wales: draft Orders

    A referendum on the powers of the National Assembly for Wales is planned for 3 March 2011. This Note outlines the three Orders that will bring about the referedum and govern the procedures appyling to it, which were laid by the Secretary of State for Wales on 21 October 2010.

  • Research Briefing

    Welsh Grand Committee

    Some Members representing Welsh constituencies called for a meeting of the Welsh Grand Committee in order to discuss the impact on Wales of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010. The Secretary of State, Cheryl Gillan, declined. This Note gives a very brief account of the business of the Committee and a list of its previous meetings.

  • Research Briefing

    Northern Ireland: political developments January to June 2010

    This Note should be read in conjunction with Library Standard Note 5350 The Hillsborough Agreement, published March 2010, which explains in detail the agreement reached on the devolution of policing and justice. This duly took place on 12 April 2010 and David Ford, the leader of the Alliance Party, became Policing and Justice Minister. New arrangements need to be agreed by May 2012.

  • Research Briefing

    The Hillsborough Agreement

    This note outlines the background to, content of, and moves to implement the agreement reached at Hillsborough Castle between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein on 4 February 2010. The full text of the Agreement is included as an appendix to the note.

  • Research Briefing

    Northern Ireland Assembly Members Bill [HL] [Bill 75 of 2009-10]

    The Bill would allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to delegate the authority for determining Assembly Members' salaries and allowances either to an independent body or to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission. The Bill specifies that an independent body would have to be established by Act of the Assembly, whereas authority could be delegated to the Commission by resolution of the Assembly. The Bill includes provisions to prevent Assembly Members who also sit in the House of Commons or the European Parliament from drawing their Assembly salaries. They would still be entitled to full allowances in connection with each mandate they hold.

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