Institutions

A Backbench Business debate on the ‘Effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on refugee communities’ has been scheduled for Thursday 12 November 2020. The debate will be led by Rushanara Ali MP.

Since being formed in 1965, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has provided a forum for parliamentarians from the NATO Member States to promote debate on key security challenges, facilitate mutual understanding and support national parliamentary oversight of defence matters. The Assembly also helps to strengthen the transatlantic relationship and provides many opportunities for North American and European parliamentarians to discuss their concerns, interests and differences.

This Library briefing paper discusses undercover policing in England and Wales. It explains how undercover operations are regulated and managed. It outlines the criticism of historic undercover policing units and provides details of the ongoing public inquiry into undercover policing.

The Public Bill Committee for the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill concluded on 22 October 2020. Despite a significant number of tabled amendments to Parts 1 and 2 of the Bill, no changes were made. The Bill is not without controversy and MPs are expected to return to some of its more contentious provisions when it comes back to the Floor of the House. Report Stage is scheduled for 3 November 2020.

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Sexual abuse and exploitation’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 4 November 2020 from 9:30-11:00am. The debate will be led by Pauline Latham.

A general debate on the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been scheduled for Tuesday 3 November 2020 in Westminster Hall from 9:30-11:00am.

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Transparency of the Integrated Activity Fund’ has been scheduled for Thursday 22 October 2020 from 1:30-3.00pm. The debate will be led by David Linden.

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Progress on the Bishop of Truro’s independent review of persecution of Christians and freedom of religion or belief’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 21 October 2020 from 9.30am to 11.00am. The debate will be led by Rehman Chishti MP

On Wednesday 14 October 2020 from 9.30am there will be a Westminster Hall debate, in the name of Joanna Cherry MP, concerning the Lord Chancellor's oath and the rule of law.

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘June 2019 massacres in Sudan and the UK’s support for Sudan’s democratic transition’ has been scheduled for Thursday 15 October 2020 from 3.00pm. The debate has been initiated by Harriet Baldwin MP

A Westminster Hall debate on E-petition 300146 relating to China’s policy on its Uighur population will be held in Westminster Hall on Monday 12 October 2020 at 6.00pm. The debate will be led by Chris Evans MP

The French nuclear deterrent is the one that is most often compared to the UK’s nuclear forces. While there are similarities in terms of policy, posture and size, there are also significant differences in terms of industrial support and cost. In contrast to the UK all of the major political parties in France support an independent nuclear deterrent, and domestic support is high. This paper examines the French nuclear deterrent in greater detail. It is also part of a wider Library briefing series on nuclear weapons.

A Westminster Hall debate on China's rapid expansion of the labour programme in Tibet has been scheduled for Wednesday 7 October 2020 from 9.30-11.00am. The debate has been initiated by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP and will consider reports co-published by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill 2019-2021 was introduced in the House of Commons on 24 September 2020. It is due to have Second Reading on 5 October. It would introduce a power in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 to authorise conduct by officials and agents of the security and intelligence services, law enforcement, and certain other public authorities, which would otherwise constitute criminality.

The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against the UK in relation to an alleged breach of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. This briefing paper provides an overview of the ongoing powers of the EU institutions in relation to UK compliance with EU law and the Withdrawal Agreement during the post-Brexit transition period, and outlines the dispute settlement procedures that will come into operation after the transition period.