Constitution Archives

Research Briefing

Wales Bill (HL Bill 34 of 2014–15)

Wednesday, 16 July, 2014

The Wales Bill would provide for a range of measures in three key areas. The first is elections to the National Assembly for Wales, where the Bill would alter the length of the electoral term and rules on candidacy. Secondly, the Bill would make provision with regard to a number of financial matters, including the devolution of some tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly. Thirdly, the Bill would make provision with regard to housing revenue account debt in Wales, and to adjust the relationship between Welsh Ministers and the Law Commission.
Research Briefing

Referendum on Scottish Independence

Thursday, 19 June, 2014

On 18 September 2014, Scotland will hold a referendum on whether it should be an independent country. This Library Note updates a previous Library Note, published on 27 January 2014, on the subject of the possible consequences of a ‘Yes’ vote. The Note aims to provide broad discussion of some of the main issues raised in connection with the subject, and lists possible sources for further reading.
Research Briefing

Hereditary Peers in the House of Lords: 1999 to 2014

Thursday, 27 March, 2014

The House of Lords Act 1999 ended the centuries-old linkage between the hereditary peerage and membership of the House of Lords. The majority of hereditary Peers left the House of Lords in November 1999, but under a compromise arrangement, 92 of their number, known as ‘excepted’ hereditary Peers still sit in the House today.
Research Briefing

Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration

Monday, 24 March, 2014

The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
Research Briefing

Second Chambers

Monday, 10 March, 2014

This Library Note looks at bicameral legislatures in other parts of the world and provides an overview of some of the features of other second chambers, and how these compare to the current House of Lords.
Research Briefing

House of Lords Reform (No 2) Bill (HL Bill 92 of 2013–14)

Friday, 07 March, 2014

The House of Lords Reform (No 2) Bill is a private members’ bill, which was introduced into the House of Commons on 19 June 2013. The Bill makes provision for retirement from the House of Lords, and for the expulsion of Members of the House of Lords in specified circumstances.
Research Briefing

Regional Representation in the House of Lords

Monday, 10 February, 2014

This Library Note provides statistics relating to the regions of the UK with which current Members of the House of Lords have connections.
Research Briefing

Debate on 21 November: ResPublica Report ‘Holistic Missions Social Action and the Church of England’

Thursday, 14 November, 2013

This Library Note provides an overview of the main arguments of the ResPublica report and provides broad context to some of the issues and themes raised in it.
Research Briefing

Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill (HL Bill 50 of 2013–4)

Thursday, 17 October, 2013

This Note provides background reading on the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 22 October 2013.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Maiden Speeches

Monday, 07 October, 2013

This House of Lords Library Note provides the text of selected recent maiden speeches to illustrate the range of styles and subjects covered by new Members in their first contribution in the Chamber.
Research Briefing

Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL]

Tuesday, 25 June, 2013

This Library Note provides background information on the disqualification of Peers from voting at elections to the House of Commons, in anticipation of the second reading of Lord Dubs’ Private Member’s Bill on this issue on 5 July.
Research Briefing

Volume of Legislation

Friday, 10 May, 2013

This House of Lords Library Note looks at the volume of Acts of Parliament since 1930 from the perspective of the House of Lords, as well as at the volume of Statutory Instruments since 1961.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Research Briefing

Succession to the Crown Bill (HL Bill 81 of 2012–13)

Monday, 11 February, 2013

The Succession to the Crown Bill makes changes to the laws of succession to the Crown. This Library Note summarises the proceedings which have taken place on the Bill during its passage through the House of Commons, ahead of the Bill’s second reading debate in the House of Lords on 14 February 2013.
Research Briefing

Growth and Infrastructure Bill (HL Bill 72 of 2012–13)

Monday, 24 December, 2012

The purpose of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill is to promote investment in infrastructure projects, reduce delays in the planning system and introduce a new employment status of employee shareholder. This Library Note provides background information for the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on 8 January 2013.
Research Briefing

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (HL Bill 45 of 2012–13)

Friday, 09 November, 2012

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill includes measures for changes to competition policy, to employment law, and for reducing regulation, as well as provisions on the Green Investment Bank, directors’ remuneration, copyright and planning. This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords.

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