Research Briefing
Parliamentary constituency boundaries: the Fifth Periodical Review
This note gives details of the fifth periodical review of Parliamentary constituencies.
-
-
Research Briefing
Reducing the size of the House of Commons
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill was introduced on 22 July 2010 and introduces new Rules for Redistribution which make provision for the number of constituencies to be reduced to 600. This note looks briefly at the current Rules for Redistribution and at recent calls for the Rules to be changed; details of the length of time it has taken to carry out periodical reviews of Parliamentary constituencies are also given. A summary of the Bill's main provisions is also included.
-
Research Briefing
The Rules for the Redistribution of Seats- history and reform
This briefing is no longer being updated. It has been replaced by another Library briefing paper: Constituency boundary reviews and the number of MPs, Research Briefing 5929
-
Research Briefing
Redistributing parliamentary boundaries: some international comparisons
This note describes how constituency boundaries are redrawn in a number of other countries: Canada, Australia, the USA and France. Much of the material in the note is taken from a key text on the subject, Redistributing in comparative perspective edited by Lisa Handley and Bernard Grofman.
-
Research Briefing
Freedom of Information: the first five years
The Freedom of Information Act came into force in January 2005. This note reviews the operation of the Act over the first five years of implementation.
-
Research Briefing
Parliamentary Ombudsman: right of Appeal
Members often ask on behalf of their constituents whether there is any appeal against a decision by the Parliamentary Ombudsman (also called the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration). This note provides guidance on this subject.
-
Research Briefing
The Parliamentary Ombudsman and the MP filter
This Note sets out the role of the MP in referring complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman and refers to other relevant Library Standard Notes.
-
Research Briefing
Parliamentary scrutiny of opt-in decisions to the EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
The UK has an opt-in arrangement to measures in the "Area of Freedom, Security and Justice", which concern mainly immigration and asylum, border control, judicial cooperation in civil law, policing and criminal law. This Note looks at parliamentary scrutiny of the opt-in arrangement.
-
Research Briefing
Time Spent on Government Bills
This note lists the time spent on debating Government Bills during each Parliamentary session since 1983. The table lists the number of bills introduced each session and the numbers that were successful or unsuccessful. Information is also provided on the time spent during each stage of the process through Parliament.
-
Research Briefing
The Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee was created at the start of the 2010 Parliament, with the Standing Order changes made on 15 June 2010. This followed recommendations made by the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons in November 2009 and agreed in principle by the House in March 2010. The Chair of the Committee was elected by secret ballot of the whole House on 22 June 2010; with the Committee members also elected by secret ballot of the whole House on 29 June. The Backbench Business Committee has responsibility for scheduling debates on 35 days, at least 27 of which will take place in the House of Commons Chamber.
-
Research Briefing
PIL: Twentieth Century Prime Ministers and their Governments
This PIL notes Prime Ministers that have served in the United Kingdom since 1900.
-
Research Briefing
Local government’s contribution to the 2010/11 spending cuts
This note briefly summarises the effect on local authorities of the £1,165m savings in 2010/11 to be made through reductions to individual grants. This forms Local Governments contribution towards the overall saving of £6.2bn across Government. This note will be updated when further announcements are made by the Government.
-
Research Briefing
Northern Ireland: political developments January to June 2010
This Note should be read in conjunction with Library Standard Note 5350 The Hillsborough Agreement, published March 2010, which explains in detail the agreement reached on the devolution of policing and justice. This duly took place on 12 April 2010 and David Ford, the leader of the Alliance Party, became Policing and Justice Minister. New arrangements need to be agreed by May 2012.
-
Research Briefing
Local elections 2010
This paper summarises the results of the local and mayoral elections held on 6 May 2010. Elections were held in all 32 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan boroughs, 20 unitary authorities, and 76 shire districts. Labour had a net gain of 17 councils, the Conservatives a net loss of seven and the Liberal Democrats a net loss of one. Four incumbent mayors were re-elected: in the London Boroughs of Hackney, Lewisham and Newham (all Labour), and in Watford (Liberal Democrat). The UK General Election was held on the same day.
-
Research Briefing
Reform of the House of Commons: The establishment of a Backbench Business Committee
This note briefly sets out the way in which the business of the House of Commons is currently decided. It summarises the proposals on the scheduling of business from the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons and the decisions made by the House on 4 March 2010. It considers the March 2010 report of Reform Committee and their proposed changes to Standing Orders, along with the Government's own proposals.
Total results (page 138 of 162)