• Research Briefing

    Will the wheels fall off the diesel car boom in the UK?

    Allegations by the US Environmental Protection Agency that Volkswagen distorted the results of emissions tests on diesel cars caused the company’s share price to fall significantly at the beginning of this week, and has raised questions about the veracity of emissions testing across the world. These allegations have also thrown the spot-light on one of

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: Reform of Common Fisheries Policy

    This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy to be held on Thursday 10 September 2015 at 3pm in Westminster Hall. The Member in charge of the debate is Rt. Hon. Mr Alistair Carmichael MP. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request to the Library.

  • Research Briefing

    Mind the gap: The digital divide and digital inclusion

    Internet use is transforming almost every aspect of our public, private and work life. More than three quarters of the UK population use the internet daily, up from just 35% of people in 2006. Two thirds of people now own a smartphone, using it for nearly two hours every day to browse the internet, access

  • Research Briefing

    Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), 2014-2020

    A reformed Common fisheries Policy took effect from 1 January 2014 following on from several years of negotiation. The key reforms to the CFP, include a phased in ban on discarding fish (effective as of 1 January 2015); a legally binding commitment to fishing at sustainable levels; and increasingly decentralised decision making, taking place at regional rather than pan-European level. This note covers the proposals for reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), negotiations and decisions implementing the reforms.

  • Research Briefing

    Marine Conservation Zones in England

    Marine Conservation Zones are being introduced to protect nationally important marine environments. 127 sites were put forward by regional stakeholder groups, and the Government designated 27 sites in 2013. The Government consulted on a second tranche of MCZs early in 2015. It is expected that the Government will announce a third tranche of candidate MCZ sites in 2016.

  • Research Briefing

    The 1974-75 UK Renegotiation of EEC Membership and Referendum

    Why did the UK Government decide to renegotiate the UK's terms of EEC membership in 1974-75? What was the outcome of the negotiations and what did the Referendum Bill say? This briefing looks at the Labour Government's renegotiation and indicates where there are parallels with the present Government's renegotiation agenda.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate pack: Coastal flood risk

    This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on Coastal flood risk to be held on Tuesday 7 July 2015 at 9.30am in Westminster Hall. The Member in charge of the debate is Melanie Onn. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of Parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for MPs on request to the Library.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate Pack: Shale gas

    This debate pack has been complied ahead of the debate on Shale gas on Tuesday 30 June 2015 at 09:30am. The Member in charge of the debate is Kevin Hollinrake MP. Debate packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for Members on request to the Library.

  • Debate Pack

    Superfast Broadband Rollout: WH Debate 24 June 2015

    This debate pack has been prepared for the Westminster Hall debate on Superfast broadband rollout on Wednesday 24 June at 2.30pm. It sets out the current situation with regard to broadband access and coverage and provides an overview of the Government’s broadband policy for the UK. It focuses on the delivery of broadband targets and funding in England as the devolved administrations have their own delivery programmes. In addition, appendices found at the bottom of this page provide detailed data on broadband speeds and superfast availability by region and parliamentary constituency, including maps.