Research Briefing
The Standards and Privileges Committee have issued a new version of the Code of Conduct for Members and Guide to the Rules, following a review undertaken by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Sir Philip Mawer. This Note looks at previous Codes of Conduct and at the revisions.
Research Briefing
Following the decision in Pepper v Hart in 1993, if primary legislation is ambiguous or obscure the courts may in certain circumstances take account of statements made in Parliament by Ministers or other promoters of a Bill in construing that legislation. Until that decision, using Hansard in that way would have been regarded as a breach of Parliamentary privilege.
Research Briefing
Modernisation of the House of Commons 1997-2005. House of Commons Research paper 05/46.
Research Briefing
Following a number of experimental changes to the House of Commons' sitting hours, on 11 January 2005 the Modernisation Committee published a report which reviewed the experiments and outlined its recommendations for sitting hours. This Note looks at these recommendations and the Houses response to them.
Research Briefing
By-election results 2001-05. House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/34
Research Briefing
This note reviews developments in the debate on the reform of the House of Lords since the publication of the Government's consultation paper, Constitutional reform: next steps for the House of Lords.
Research Briefing
This note describes the background to this Bill which had its second reading on 16 December 2004.
Research Briefing
The Constitutional Reform Bill (HL) - a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom and judicial appointments (Bill 18 of 2004/05). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/06.
Research Briefing
The Constitutional Reform Bill (HL) - the office of Lord Chancellor (Bill 18 of 2004/05). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/05.
Research Briefing
This note summarises how the project for building a new Scottish Parliament progressed from the initial discussion stages in May 1997 to its completion and royal opening in October 2004. The accounts are based on the sequel of events set out in Lord Fraser's Holyrood Inquiry.
Research Briefing
Freedom of Information implementation. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/84.
Research Briefing
The collective responsibility of ministers - an outline of the issues. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/82.
Research Briefing
The Hunting Bill 2003/4 and the Parliament Act. By Elena Ares and Richard Kelly. SN/SC/3181.
Research Briefing
This note examines the history of disqualification provisions applicable to Members of the House of Commons.
Total results (page 61 of 64)