The bilateral and multilateral aid reviews establish priorities for the Department for International Development's aid expenditure to 2014/15. This note looks at the process and results of these reviews.
What the rules of engagement are in Libya, and how far coalition forces are allowed to go in protecting the civilian population are highly controversial. This note looks briefly at some of the current questions.
UN Security Council Resolution 1973 adopted on 17 March 2011, established, among other things, a no-fly zone over Libya.
This note provides a list of suggested reading material on the arguments for and against the establishment of a no fly zone over Libya and its likelihood of success.
This Note looks at the background to and issues surrounding EU accession to the European Convention, UK Government views and Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft Council decision on the negotiation of an EU accession agreement.
This note looks at the development of a consensus on the United Nations Security Council for a resolution permitting military intervention in Libya. It reproduces the resolution.
This note briefly describes the Wreck Removal Convention Bill 2010-11; a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Dr Thérèse Coffey MP. The Bill provides measures to enable the United Kingdom to ratify and implement the International Convention for the Removal of Wrecks. It would insert new sections and a Schedule into the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
Egypt's revolt has been greeted as a historic moment that will have enormous consequences throughout the Arab world. This note provides a simple chronological account of events swince 25 January. It looks a the background to the crisis and profiles groups and individuals involved and considers some likely outcomes of the present crisis.
The EC Working Time Directive (93/104/EC of 23 November 1993), was implemented in the UK by the Working Time Regulations 1998, SI No.1833 with effect from 1 October 1998. The Working Time Directive was subject to proposals for further amendment in Europe. The proposals were considered under the codecision procedure. The European Parliament and Council could not reach agreement on the draft directive, and no compromise could be reached in conciliation. The proposal now lapses and the current directive remains in force. This Note brings together documents relevant to legislation and draft directives on the application of Working Time rules.
This note details the sometimes controversial dealings between the UK government and the regime of Muammer Qaddafi and looks at the reasons for Libya's partial rehabilitation by the west, in which the UK was closely involved.
Before 2010 the UK Parliament had no formal role in the ratification of treaties, which is a matter for the Government under the Royal Prerogative. There were however several ways in which treaties were scrutinised by Parliament before the Government ratified them, for example under the 'Ponsonby Rule'. There have been calls for Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties to be enhanced, including through creating a dedicated treaty scrutiny committee.
This Note looks at the Government's policy on Europe: first, at the election manifestos of the two parties, the Coalition Programme for Government and the Government's response since May 2010 to matters concerning the EU.
The EC Food Supplements Directive (2002/46/EC of 10 June 2002) was implemented in England by Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 SI 2003/1387, with effect from 1 August 2005. Equivalent Regulations implemented the Directive in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Draft legislation to amend this Directive is being prepared by the European Commission and is expected in 2009. This Note brings together documents relevant to UK legislation on the application of the EU Food Supplements Directive.
Both the National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review were published in October 2010, five months after the Government took office. This paper examines the main priorities and recommendations set out in each of those documents