The Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill [HL] 2016-17 has been considered in Public Bill Committee. This Commons Library Briefing Paper gives an overview of the debate so far.
After several delays, the 2016 Bilateral Development Review (BDR) and Multilateral Development Review (MDR) were published by the Government on 1 December 2016, superseding the 2011 Reviews published by the previous Coalition Government. While the 2016 MDR performs a broadly comparable role to that performed by its predecessor, the 2016 BDR does not -- important country-level information has not been provided this time around.
This Debate Pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on the UK ivory trade to be held in Westminster Hall on Thursday 8 December at 3.00pm.
The subject for the debate has been chosen by the Backbench Business Committee, following a representation made by Jeremy Lefroy.
The House of Commons Library prepares a briefing in hard copy and/or online for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall other than half-hour debates. Debate Packs are produced 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.
The House of Commons Library prepares a briefing in hard copy and/or online for most non-legislative debates in the Chamber and Westminster Hall other than half-hour debates. Debate Packs are produced 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.
The High Court has ruled that the UK Government does not have prerogative power to give notice under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union for the UK to withdraw from the EU. The Government is appealing to the Supreme Court. Some press reports suggest the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) would have the last word on this. But can the CJEU rule on matters of UK constitutional Law? Many experts believe that the question central to the case, but not ruled on by the High Court, was whether Article 50 notice, once given, could be withdrawn. If it can be revoked, then the argument that Article 50 notice leads inevitably to a loss of rights under the European Communities Act 1972 might not hold. This paper looks at the questions of revocability and referral to the EU Court.
Members of Parliament are often asked how constituents can take a case to the European Court of Human Rights. This Commons Library briefing summarises the main features of the process, and emphasises recent changes to it.
To counter increased assertiveness by Russia along NATO's eastern flank, the alliance adopted its Readiness Action Plan in 2014. This briefing paper explains the main elements with a specific focus on the UK military contribution.
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate on global biodiversity, to be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 1 November 2016 at 2.30pm. The Member in charge of this debate is Dame Caroline Spelman MP.
The Investigatory Powers Bill would overhaul the framework governing the use of surveillance by the intelligence and security agencies and law enforcement to obtain the content of communications and communications data.This paper provides an overview of significant Lords amendments to the Bill.
This Briefing Paper has been prepared for the second reading debate of the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill [HL] 2016-17 on 31 October 2016. The Bill would enable the UK to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and accede to its two Protocols.
Antonio Guterres is set to be the next UN Secretary General, the UN Security Council announced on 5 October 2016. This Library note explains about the process, the role and the criteria for selection, as well as describing the 2016 candidates.