Research Briefing
The Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill 2016-17 was introduced 29 June 2016 and had its Second Reading on Friday 18 November 2016. The Bill was a Private Member's Bill that sought to amend the Rules of Redistribution of Parliamentary constituencies.
Research Briefing
This publication, Duty and Democracy: Parliament and the First World War, has been produced especially for the centenary of the First World War. It examines the role of Parliament, its Members and staff during the conflict. It outlines the key legislation passed during the period that affected the strategy of the First World War and wider social changes taking place during the period. It includes detailed profiles of selected Parliamentarians and House staff who either served or influenced matters during the war.
Debate Pack
This debate pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on House of Lords Reform and the size of the House of Commons to be held on Wednesday 19 October 2016 in the House of Commons Chamber. The subject of the debate was chosen by the Scottish National Party for one of its allotted Opposition Day debates.
Research Briefing
Now that the UK has voted to leave the EU, what will happen next? This Commons Library briefing paper looks at the immediate consequences of the vote and some of the longer term implications. This paper considers various questions about UK withdrawal from the EU and what is likely to happen in the coming weeks and months. The issues include the method of leaving the EU, continuing parliamentary scrutiny of EU business and the withdrawal negotiations, and the implications of Brexit for Scotland and Gibraltar.
Research Briefing
This Commons Library briefing paper reviews the power of select committees “to send for persons, papers and records”, that is to obtain oral and written evidence. The Paper considers arguments that have been made to increase select committees’ abilities to enforce these powers without recourse to the House. It reviews the arguments for requiring witnesses to give evidence on oath to select committees.
Research Briefing
Looks at current legislation to reform the House of Commons Members' Fund, set up in 1939 (before a pension scheme was established) to help former Members and their dependants in financial difficulty.
Debate Pack
A motion to appoint two external members to the House of Commons Commission is scheduled to be considered on Tuesday 2 February 2016, in the Chamber.
Research Briefing
In 2008 The House of Commons agreed to establish a new committee, to be chaired by the Speaker and known as the Speaker’s Conference. The Conference was asked to: “consider, and make recommendations for rectifying, the disparity between the representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people in the House of Commons and their representation
Debate Pack
This House of Commons Library Debate Pack has been produced for the debate on House of Lords Reform taking place on Thursday 14 January 2016 in the Main Chamber. The Member in charge of the debate is John Martin Docherty. The subject of the debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.
Research Briefing
This House of Commons Library briefing paper sets out the conventions on the relationship between the two Houses of Parliament and their origins. On 17 December 2015 Lord Strathclyde published his review of secondary legislation and the primacy of the House of Commons. This briefing paper sets out the background to the review and Lord Strathclyde's recommendations.
Research Briefing
How democratic is the UK’s ‘democratic conscience’?
Research Briefing
This House of Commons briefing paper outlines changes to the Commons sitting hours that were implemented 15 October 2012. It charts how the sitting hours have changed since 1997.
Research Briefing
In November 2009, the Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons recommended the establishment of a House Business Committee to “assemble a draft agenda to put to the House in a weekly motion”. Although, the House approved the establishment of a House Business Committee and the Coalition Agreement included a commitment to establish it, a House Business Committee has not been set up. The current Government has no intention of bringing forward proposals to establish a House Business Committee.
Research Briefing
This note looks at the background to the introduction of a new joint petitions system and a new Petitions Committee
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