Research Briefing
Autism Bill: Committee Stage Report (Bill 98 2008-09)
This is a report of the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Autism Bill. It complements Research Paper 09/17 prepared for the Commons Second Reading debate.
-
-
Research Briefing
Current regulation of tobacco products
Legislation in respect of the display and sale of tobacco products both from retail premises and vending machines.
-
Research Briefing
The Law Commission Bill
The Bill is a Private Members Bill. It was introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Lloyd of Berwick, a former Law Lord. The Bill had all party support and completed all its stages in the House of Lords. It is expected to have its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 12 June 2009. This note briefly looks at the Bill so far.
-
-
Research Briefing
War and peace in Sri Lanka
This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised – rapidly to be dashed – that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka’s future prospects, including assessing how real the Government’s military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced.
-
Research Briefing
Pre-payment meters
This note looks at calls for a reduction in the higher costs paid by energy consumers who use pre-payment meter.
-
Research Briefing
Iranian presidential elections 2009
This note provides an overview of the forthcoming presidential elections in Iran. It outlines the main candidates and their platforms, analyses the campaign, assesses the fairness of the elections, and discusses their political and constitutional significance within the context of Iran's broader political system.
-
Research Briefing
Economic indicators, June 2009
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries for selected indicators. [Indicator-only edition]
-
Research Briefing
Crown Employment (Nationality) Bill 2006-07
This Private Member's Bill is due for a second reading on Friday 12 June 2009. This Note gives background to its provisions which are designed to liberalise the nationality requirements for civil servants.
-
Research Briefing
Baha’is in Iran
This note provides background information on the detention of seven leaders of the Baha'i faith who have been imprisoned in Iran since March and May 2008. It also considers the international responses to their imprisonment.
-
Research Briefing
Health Bill [HL] (excluding tobacco provisions) (Bill 97 2008-09)
This Research Paper has been written for the Second Reading of the Health Bill [HL] following its passage through the House of Lords, where it was introduced on 15 January 2009. The bill as introduced covered ten policy areas, including the sale of tobacco, which is the subject of Library Research Paper 09/49.
-
Research Briefing
Health Bill [HL]: Tobacco control provisions (Bill 97 2008-09)
Part 3 of the Health Bill (HL) 2008-09 contains tobacco control provisions designed to protect children and young people from the harm caused by smoking. This paper provides information on current legislation and policy in respect of the display and sale of tobacco products from retail premises and vending machines as well as outlining the changes proposed in the Bill.
-
Research Briefing
Electronic Government
This Standard Note describes e-Government, outlines Government efforts in this field, and related issues.
-
Research Briefing
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]: Economic, regional and construction aspects (Bill 93 of 2008-09).
This paper covers parts 4 to 8 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]. The Bill implements a number of changes in relation to regional and sub-regional economic development and planning, including: an economic assessment duty for local authorities; a new regional strategy process for English regions outside London; new Local Authority Leaders’ Boards to agree the strategy with Regional Development Agencies; provisions for further sub-regional partnerships through Economic Prosperity Boards and Multi-Area Agreements. The Bill also amends the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 in relation to construction contracts with the aim of improving cashflow and the adjudication process in the industry. See also Library Research Paper 09/45, for coverage of parts 1 to 3 of the Bill which relate to community empowerment, housing and Boundary Commission issues.
-
Research Briefing
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL] (Bill 86 of 2008-09).
This paper is on the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL] (Bill 86 of 2008-09). This Bill would deal firstly with the transfer of border customs functions to the new UK Border Agency. It would also introduce new naturalisation requirements and deal with various other citizenship issues. The Bill as it was introduced in the Lords would have provided for immigration control to be introduced on air and sea routes within the Common Travel Area but these provisions were defeated in the Lords. Originally the Bill would also have restricted the involvement of the higher courts in immigration and nationality cases, but a Lords amendment limited the scope of this restriction. The Bill would introduce a new duty on the UK Border Agency to safeguard the welfare of children and make provisions in relation to trafficking babies and children for exploitation.
Total results (page 499 of 639)