Christopher Barclay

Research Briefing

Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill [Bill 18 of 2009-10]

Tuesday, 02 March, 2010

The Bill would establish an independent ombudsman for the grocery market to oversee the operation of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. It would provide for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), within three months of the Bill's enactment, to establish the Office of the Grocery Market Ombudsman and a person as the Grocery Market Ombudsman. Although funded by the OFT, the Ombudsman would be independent of it and would investigate complaints or disputes referred by the OFT, retailers or suppliers. The Ombudsman's determination would be final and binding on all parties and they would have the power to impose monetary penalties and/or costs.

• Research Briefing
• Business
• Environment

Research Briefing

Green belt – sales of small plots

Wednesday, 10 February, 2010

This note covers green belt sales of small plots without planning consent to those who hope that the planning designation will one day be changed

• Research Briefing
• Planning

Research Briefing

Sea Bass Fishing and Dolphins

Wednesday, 20 January, 2010

This note describes the problem of dolphin by-catch in the sea bass fishery

• Research Briefing
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Irradiation of food

Monday, 19 October, 2009

Irradiation of food. By Christopher Barclay. SN/SC/1530.

• Research Briefing
• Environment

Research Briefing

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report

Friday, 24 July, 2009

This report covers the Committee Stage of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill (HL) 2008-09. The Bill implements a number of community empowerment measuresoutlined in the white paper - Communities in control: real people, real power (Cm 7427). It also implements changes in relation to regional and sub-regional economic development and planning. See also Research Papers 09/45 and 09/46.

• Research Briefing
• Housing and planning
• Industry
• Local government

Research Briefing

Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report. Bill 137 2008-09.

Sunday, 19 July, 2009

The Bill would set up a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO); streamline marine licensing; introduce marine planning; reform fisheries management; provide for Marine Conservation Zones; and enable the creation of a route around the English coast.

• Research Briefing
• Animals
• Environment
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Sugar

Monday, 06 July, 2009

This note covers EU support for sugar producers and preferential arrangements for imports from certain poor countries

• Research Briefing
• Environment
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Bill: Committee Stage Report

Tuesday, 30 June, 2009

Report of the Commons Committee Stage of the Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Bill. This is a Private Member's Bill, introduced by Peter Ainsworth, which seeks to define and promote "green energy".

• Research Briefing
• Energy

Research Briefing

Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

Tuesday, 16 June, 2009

The Bill covers a broad range of marine issues and would: (1) set up a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) under which many of the existing, diverse areas of marine regulation would be centralised; (2) streamline the existing marine licensing system and provide powers to create a joined up marine planning policy; (3) introduce new measures to reform fisheries management; (4) provide a framework for establishing marine conservation zones; and, (5) enable the creation of a route around the English coast.

• Research Briefing
• Animals
• Environment
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]: Economic, regional and construction aspects (Bill 93 of 2008-09).

Friday, 22 May, 2009

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
• Industry
• Local government

Research Briefing

Planning application by local authority

Thursday, 16 April, 2009

This note covers issues arising when a local authority grants planning permission to itself

• Research Briefing
• Planning

Research Briefing

Fish farming

Thursday, 12 March, 2009

This note covers some issues - including environmental concern - relating mainly to salmon farming in Scotland but also cod and tuna farming

• Research Briefing
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Expansion of Heathrow Airport

Wednesday, 04 February, 2009

This paper gives an overview of both the transport and environmental policy background in which this decision has been taken; the planning aspects of the proposal; its anticipated environmental impacts; and relevant statistical issues.

• Research Briefing
• Aviation

Research Briefing

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Tuesday, 03 February, 2009

This note discusses the stricter rules on farming practices and the use of nitrates resulting from belated implementation of an EU Directive

• Research Briefing
• Environment
• Farming and fishing

Research Briefing

Health and Safety (Offences) Bill: Committee Stage Report

Wednesday, 28 May, 2008

(Bill 29 of 2007/08)

• Research Briefing