Research Briefing
Queen’s Speech 2013
This Standard Note gathers together announcements from ministers and speculation from commentators on the issues that might be included in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech.
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Research Briefing
Commercial Lobbyists (Registration and Code of Conduct) Bill 2012-13 [Bill 39 2012-13]
The Commercial Lobbyists (Registration and Code of Conduct) Bill 2012-13 is a Private Member’s Bill promoted by Thomas Docherty. It seeks to create a statutory register for commercial lobbyists and a legally enforceable code of conduct. It was presented on 25 June 2012, and is scheduled for second reading on 1 February 2013.
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Research Briefing
Effectiveness of select committees
This note introduces the Liaison Committee's review "Select committee effectiveness, resources and powers" (November 2012) and the academic literature on the effectiveness of select committees
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Research Briefing
Government policy announcements
The Ministerial Code states that when Parliament is in Session, the most important Ministerial announcements should be made in Parliament. However there have been occasions when, for whatever reason, announcements have not been delivered in Parliament first. Often in such cases the Speaker has made a statement to the House deprecating what has happened and sometimes calling on the minister concerned to account for his/her actions.
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Research Briefing
Referendum on independence for Scotland
The UK and Scottish Governments reached agreement in October 2012 on the legislation needed to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. This Note discusses the agreement, and the draft “Section 30 Order” by which the UK Parliament will give the Scottish Parliament the power to hold the vote. It also covers the question of the franchise and some reaction to the agreement.
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Research Briefing
MPs Pension Scheme – background
This note provides background on the pension scheme for MPs - the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund - and its development to 2011. The current debate on reform of the scheme is covered in SN 6283 MPs pensions - 2012 onwards
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Research Briefing
The Turks and Caicos Islands
In 2009, the UK Government imposed direct rule in the Turks and Caicos following a corruption investigation. Local ministerial rule was restored in 2012.
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Research Briefing
Constitutional change: timeline from 1911: House of Commons Background Paper
This note contains a short and highly selective chronology of constitutional change over the past century. Prominent themes include parliamentary reform, devolution and changes to the franchise.
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Research Briefing
Succession to the Crown Bill 2012-13
The Succession to the Crown Bill would make changes so that gender would no longer play a part in determining the order of succession to the Crown, and so that a person marrying a Roman Catholic would no longer be barred from becoming or remaining monarch. It would also remove a requirement for descendants of George II to seek permission from the monarch to marry, replacing it with a requirement for the first six people in the line of succession to seek consent if they wish to remain in line to the throne. This Paper discusses the existing rules, the changes proposed by the Bill, and the process among the 16 states of which the Queen is Head of State to make the changes together.
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Research Briefing
House of Commons Background Paper: Public Bills
This House of Commons Background Paper sets out how legislation is passed through the House of Commons and the House of Lords and explains the terms involved.
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Research Briefing
House of Commons Background Paper: Disciplinary and Penal Powers of the House of Commons
This Note provides information on rules covering disciplinary and penal powers of the House of Commons.
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Research Briefing
The publication of MPs’ expenses by IPSA
This Note sets out the background to the information made available by the Commons for Members' allowances paid in the 2005-2010 Parliament. It then outlines IPSA's policy on release of allowances data and the position in the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies and the Scottish Parliament.
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Research Briefing
Mental Health (Discrimination) (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage Report
This briefing has been prepared for the Report Stage of the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill on 30 November 2012. The Bill is sponsored by Gavin Barwell MP, who was fourth in the 2012-13 ballot for Private Members’ Bills.
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Research Briefing
The Ombudsman- the developing role in the UK
This Note is designed to provide background on the work of the Ombudsman, and examines recent developments in the role.
Total results (page 59 of 76)