• Research Briefing

    Fixed-term Parliaments Bill [Bill 64 of 2010-11]

    The Fixed-term Parliaments Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 22 July 2010. The proposals are part of the Coalition Agreement between the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, agreed after the May 2010 General Election. The Bill fixes the date of the next General Election at 7 May 2015, and provides five year fixed-terms. There are provisions to allow the Prime Minister to alter the date by Order by up to two months. There are also two ways in which an election could be triggered before the five year term: if a motion of no confidence is passed and no alternative government is found within 14 days; or a motion for an early General Election is agreed either by at least two-thirds of the House or without division.

  • Research Briefing

    Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords

    In November 2009 the Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB) published its Review of Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords. This note sets out the expense allowance system as it currently operates, the background to the 2009 SSRB report, and its recommendations. It then sets out the changes made so far to the system.

  • 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 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

    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.

  • Research Briefing

    The establishment of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

    This note briefly describes the background to the decision to create the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) and a Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations. It then outlines the functions given to IPSA and to the Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations by the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009. It also sets out the steps taken in establishing IPSA, including the appointment of the Speaker's Committee and the Chair of IPSA, Sir Ian Kennedy.

Total results (page 64 of 76)