Defence

This Lords Library briefing provides a brief timeline of principal developments during the process of the Iraq Inquiry (Chilcot). It particularly focusses on delays of the report’s publication.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the provisions of the Investigatory Powers Bill ahead of its Lords stages.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Register of Arms Brokers Bill in the House of Lords on Friday 10 June 2016.

This House of Lords briefing provides an overview of the Battle of Jutland, the only major naval battle of the First World War. The battle started on the afternoon of 31 May 1916, and lasted until the early hours of 1 June 1916. It was the only time that the German High Seas Fleet and the British Grand Fleet confronted each other. The briefing has been prepared to mark the centenary of the battle, and also provides information on the series of commemorative events that have been planned.

The House of Lords is due to debate the Queen’s Speech over four days between 19 and 25 May 2016. This briefing is one of four prepared by the House of Lords Library to cover the themes of each day of debate.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the history of the battle of the Somme, which took place in the First World War, between 1 July 1916 and 18 November 1916, and was a joint Anglo-French operation in the region of the river of the Somme. It briefly describes the planning of the offensive, the events of the battle, and the role of Commonwealth troops in the conflict. It then provides an overview of the commemorative programme of events to mark the centenary of the battle, which are being organised by the UK Government. The briefing has been prepared to mark the centenary of the start of the battle, on 1 July 2016, and to support the question for short debate on marking the centenary of the battle of the Somme, scheduled to take place in the House of Lords on 14 March 2016.

This briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Armed Forces Bill.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the work of the five ad hoc Lords Select Committees which reported in the 2013–14 session.

This House of Lords Library briefing provides a brief overview of the history of conscription in Britain in the First World War to mark the centenary of the enactment of the Military Service Act 1916. It also identifies those countries in the European Union that currently enforce conscription or compulsory military service.

This Library Note has been prepared in advance of the debate in the House of Lords on 3 December 2015: "that this House takes note of the United Kingdom’s role in supporting international security and stability in the light of the Strategic Defence and Security Review".

This In Focus provides a briefing on the background and current status of the Wilson Doctrine, which concerns the interception of parliamentarians’ communications.

This Note provides a summary of the recommendations of recent reports, including the report of David Anderson QC, and supporting material on the use of investigatory powers.