Research Briefing
The 2006 Convention on Enforced Disappearance, which came into force in 2010, requires states that have ratified it to create new criminal offences in their domestic law and to adjust their laws on (for example) detention. The UK has not signed or ratified the Convention despite some pressure to do so.
Research Briefing
The boundaries of western and Russian influence in Eastern Europe are in play in Ukraine.
Research Briefing
If Scotland became independent, would it automatically remain a member of the European Union (EU) – or would it have to go through the whole accession process for new Member States, either alone or alongside the rest of the UK?
Research Briefing
The IAEA is to release a report on the Iranian nuclear programme on 8 or 9 November. The report will give strong evidence suggesting that Iran is working on the components of a nuclear weapon, and there has been a flurry of speculation that Israel is preparing for military action against Iran.
Research Briefing
Six amendments to the Armed Forces Bill were agreed at Lords Third Reading which took place on 10 October, including several tabled or supported by the Government. This note briefly examines those amendments.
Research Briefing
Section 1 of the Pensions Act 2011 will accelerate the increase in the State Pension age to 66. The amended the Bill in its final stages to cap the maximum increase in women's State Pension age at 18 months relative to the previously legislated timetable. This note also looks at this and other Government amendments to the Bill in its final stages. It complements and updates Library Research Paper 11/68 Pensions Bill: Commitee Stage Report.
Research Briefing
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries.
Research Briefing
The number of parliamentary constituencies in Scotland will fall from 59 to 52 as part of the current boundary review. Initial proposals for the new seats were published by the Boundary Commission for Scotland on 13 October 2011. This note looks at the extent to which proposed constituencies can be identified with existing seats and which existing constituencies will be most affected by the proposals.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing paper summarises the options available to tenants when they discover that their landlord has defaulted on the mortgage payments.
Research Briefing
This note considers the provisions in the Equality Act 2010 that allow positive action in respect of employment – it should be noted that positive discrimination continues to be illegal in most cases.
Research Briefing
Military action to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1973 in Libya
Research Briefing
The Government has a deadline of 30 June 2011 to set the UK's fourth carbon budget covering 2023-2027.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Public Services (Social Value) Bill 2010-12. It complements Research Paper 10/73 which was prepared for the Commons Second Reading of the Bill, then titled the Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill.
Research Briefing
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it has chosen to cooperate with the EU in a number of areas of specific interest.
Research Briefing
The Lisbon Treaty allows EU Member States to leave the European Union. However, the process, as yet untested, would in all likelihood not be straightforward and would involve negotiating a new relationship for the UK with the EU.
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