• Research Briefing

    Scotland Bill: Committee Stage Report

    This is a report on the Commons committee stage of the Scotland Bill 2010-12. Introduced to the House of Commons on 30 November 2010, its second reading was on 27 January 2011, and its committee stage took place on the floor of the House on 7, 14 and 15 March 2011. Report and third reading are scheduled for 21 June 2011. On 13 June 2011 the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, announced a package of changes to the Bill in response to issues that had been raised in the UK and Scottish Parliaments, and by the Scottish Government.

  • Research Briefing

    Air transport statistics

    Air Transport Statistics by Tom Rutherford (SN/SG/3760). This note looks in detail at trends in air travel in the UK and the latest official projections, passenger fatality rates; fares, air freight, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. It includes some key facts on aviation's contribution to the economy and employment. Some international comparisons of air transport are also given.

  • Research Briefing

    Healthcare for veterans

    This note covers the current policies on healthcare services for ex-service personnel, including priority access to NHS services and the provision of dedicated mental health services for veterans. The note also provides a list of useful links and contacts.

  • Research Briefing

    Yemen on the brink of civil war?

    President Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia for treatment for injuries received in a rocket attack leaves a power vacuum in Yemen, with powerful military forces squaring up for a fight over the succession.

  • Research Briefing

    Armed Forces Bill: Consideration in Select Committee

    Unlike the majority of Government Bills, the Armed Forces Bill has traditionally been committed to a specially convened Select Committee after Second Reading, which sits only for the duration of the Bill. Three oral evidence sessions were held in early February 2011 on some of the general themes associated with the Bill. Armed Forces welfare and the section of the Bill relating to the Military Covenant received particular attention. Those sessions were then followed by four sessions dedicated to formal consideration of the Bill. Several amendments relating to clause 2 of the Bill were moved in Committee, but after extensive debate were defeated on division. The Special Report of the Select Committee was published on 10 March 2011 (HC 779, Session 2010-11).

  • Research Briefing

    Ports: security

    This note gives details of port security programmes and policies initiated by both the IMO and the European Commission and includes information on the American programme to compel international ports to scan all goods heading to the US.

  • Research Briefing

    EC Defence Equipment Directives

    In 2009 two EU directives were adopted relating to the procurement of defence and security related goods and services, and the intra-EU transfer of defence goods. Both of those directives must be transposed into UK law in 2011. This note examines the background to these Directives, the specific provisions in each of them and current plans for transposition.

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