Research Briefing

Research Briefing

Shipping: Marine Navigation (No. 2) Bill (Bill 19 of 2012-13)

Thursday, 13 December, 2012

On 17 May 2012 the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, Sheryll Murray, was drawn twelfth in the Private Members Bill ballot. On 20 June Ms Murray introduced the Marine Navigation (No. 2) Bill in the House of Commons. The Bill and accompanying Explanatory Notes were published on 12 October. The Bill received Second Reading in the House of Commons on 19 October; Committee stage on 7 November, Report stage and Third Reading on 30 November and is awaiting Second Reading in the Lords. The Bill has support from both the Government and the Opposition.

• Research Briefing
• Transport

Research Briefing

Growth and Infrastructure Bill: Committee Stage Report

Thursday, 13 December, 2012

This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. It complements Research Paper 12/61 prepared for Commons Second Reading

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation
• Energy
• Environment
• Housing and planning
• Local government
• Planning
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

Unemployment by Constituency, December 2012

Wednesday, 12 December, 2012

This paper contains labour market figures for parliamentary constituencies, as well as a summary of the latest national and regional statistics.

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation
• Work and incomes

Research Briefing

Recent EU Treaty Amendments and UK Ratification

Tuesday, 11 December, 2012

This Note outlines the three Treaty amendments that have been adopted under amended Article 48 TEU since the Lisbon Treaty came into force and how these amendments have been ratified in the UK.

• Research Briefing
• Economy
• EU institutions
• EU law and treaties

Research Briefing

Equality law and female bishops

Monday, 10 December, 2012

This short note outlines the religious organisation exceptions to the Equality Act 2010 that apply to the Church of England’s decision regarding female bishops. It also touches upon some aspects of EU anti-discrimination law.

• Research Briefing

Research Briefing

Individual electoral registration in Northern Ireland

Monday, 10 December, 2012

A report by the Electoral Commission on continuous electoral registration in Northern Ireland, published in November 2012, found that there had been ‘a significant and worrying decline in both the accuracy and completeness of Northern Ireland’s electoral register’ since 2008. The Note looks at the introduction of individual electoral registration in Northern Ireland and the abolition of the annual canvass.

• Research Briefing
• Elections
• Voters

Research Briefing

UK – Commonwealth trade statistics

Thursday, 06 December, 2012

This short note looks at UK - Commonwealth trade statistics. It has been prepared for a Westminster Hall Private Members’ Debate on Commonwealth Trade on Wednesday 12 December 2012.

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation
• International trade

Research Briefing

Financial Services Bill: House of Lords Report & Third Reading stages

Thursday, 06 December, 2012

A guide to the main amendments agreed to during the Report and Thrid Reading stages of the Financial Services Bill 2012

• Research Briefing
• Finance

Research Briefing

Pakistan in 2013

Thursday, 06 December, 2012

2013 will be another important year for Pakistan. Federal and provincial elections will be held during the first half of the year. If, as seems increasingly likely, the Pakistan People’s Party-led Government sees out its full term in office and hands over to a civilian successor, it will be the first time in Pakistan’s history that this has happened. But the political and economic situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable.

• Research Briefing
• Asia Pacific
• Economy
• Elections
• Institutions
• International development
• Security

Research Briefing

The 2012 Autumn Statement

Wednesday, 05 December, 2012

This note summarises the main points of the Autumn Statement.

• Research Briefing
• Economic policy
• Economic situation
• Public spending
• Tax

Research Briefing

Israeli settlements and the E1 area

Wednesday, 05 December, 2012

Statistics and commentary on Israeli sttlements in the Occupied Territories

• Research Briefing
• Middle East

Research Briefing

Transport: winter maintenance

Wednesday, 05 December, 2012

This note looks at the Quarmby recommendations to improve the resilience of all modes of transport to extreme weather, focusing particularly on the road network. It also explains the duty of highways authorities to ensure that safe passage along the highway is not endangered by snow or ice and looks briefly at issues of salt and grit supplies.

• Research Briefing
• Aviation
• Rail
• Roads

Research Briefing

MPs and FoI

Wednesday, 05 December, 2012

Freedom of Information and MPs

• Research Briefing
• Government
• Parliament

Research Briefing

Economic Indicators, December 2012

Monday, 03 December, 2012

This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.

• Research Briefing
• Economic situation

Research Briefing

Local Elections 2013

Monday, 03 December, 2012

Local elections take place on 2 May 2013 in 27 county councils and 8 unitary authorities in England and one council in Wales.

• Research Briefing
• Elections
• Local government
• UK elections