Research Briefing Archives

Research Briefing

Live music in small venues

Friday, 01 July, 2011

This note describes the old "two-in-a-bar" exemption, summarises the proceedings in Parliament which led to its removal and refers to a recent announcement by Lord Clement-Jones of his intention to introduce a Private Members' Bill to restore this particular exemption. It also considers evidence for the impact of new licensing laws on the provision of live music and two initiatives which might improve provision: a "de minimis" exemption and the simplification of the process for making "minor" variations to a premises licence.
- Research Briefing
- Communities
Research Briefing

Copyright online

Thursday, 30 June, 2011

The online world and those who inhabit it throw up challenges to the legitimacy of copyright law and the methods and effectiveness of enforcing it.
Research Briefing

Thresholds in Referendums

Thursday, 30 June, 2011

Referendums have become an established mechanism for validating constitutional initiatives in the UK. The possibility of using an appropriate minimum turnout, or a special majority to ensure that the outcome of such a poll is seen as legitimate is sometimes raised. This note looks at the debate in the UK so far and briefly looks at the use of referendum thresholds in states outside the UK.
Research Briefing

The International Criminal Court: new crimes and a new Prosecutor

Tuesday, 28 June, 2011

As the International Criminal Court (ICC) moves towards opening its fourth trial, its jurisdiction is being widened and its most public face, the ICC Prosecutor, is about to be replaced at the end of his term.
Research Briefing

Protection of Freedoms Bill: Committee Stage Report Bill 189 of 2010-11

Tuesday, 28 June, 2011

This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Protection of Freedoms Bill. It complements Research Paper 11/20 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
- Research Briefing
- Crime
- Family law
- Government
- Police
- Security
Research Briefing

Equatorial Guinea: a quick introduction

Friday, 24 June, 2011

Equatorial Guinea is often cited as a classic example of the ‘resource curse’ which can strike poor countries with weak formal institutions when oil is discovered. This note provides a brief introduction to Equatorial Guinea, including UK and EU relations with the country.
Research Briefing

Cyber Security – A new national programme

Thursday, 23 June, 2011

It is widely acknowledged that cyber attacks will increasingly be a key aspect of future warfare and organised crime. This note explains the increasing threat to national security posed by the new "front" of the cyber realm of networked, digital activities (often internet-based) and sets out the Government's response.
Research Briefing

Pension Credit statistics

Wednesday, 22 June, 2011

Pension Credit Statistics. By Tom Rutherford. SN/SG/2756.
Research Briefing

EU energy policy 2010 and after

Tuesday, 21 June, 2011

This note outlines the development of EU energy policy since the Coalition Government first represented the UK at negotiations.
- Research Briefing
- Energy
Research Briefing

Trident after the Strategic Defence and Security Review

Monday, 20 June, 2011

This paper is now out-of-date and has been replaced by Commons Library Briefing CBP7353, Replacing the UK's Trident Nuclear Deterrent, 26 October 2015
- Research Briefing
- Defence policy
Research Briefing

Uprising in Tunisia

Thursday, 16 June, 2011

This note describes the background to the riots in Tunisia, the recent series of events leading to the flight of the president, the interim government and progress towards elections.
Research Briefing

Pensions Bill [HL], Bill 183 of 2010-12

Thursday, 16 June, 2011

This paper has been prepared for the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons on the Pensions Bill and outlines the main changes to the paper.
- Research Briefing
- Pensions
Research Briefing

Armed Forces Bill: Committee Stage Report

Wednesday, 15 June, 2011

The Committee of the Whole House debate on the Armed Forces Bill took place on 14 June 2011. All of the Government’s amendments to the Bill relating to the call-out of the Reserves and the Armed Forces Covenant were adopted. Several other amendments and new clauses relating to the Covenant and the publication of defence statistics were defeated on division. Report Stage and Third Reading of the Bill is scheduled for 16 June 2011.
- Research Briefing
- Armed forces
Research Briefing

UK Broadband – Policy and Coverage

Wednesday, 15 June, 2011

This note sets out the current situation with regard to broadband access and coverage in the UK and provides an overview of the Government’s broadband policy. It also highlights some examples of regional and local initiatives underway to improve broadband coverage.
- Research Briefing
- Technology
Research Briefing

Overview of new regulations to ban tobacco displays in shops and tobacco vending machines

Wednesday, 15 June, 2011

Total results (page 453 of 639)