Research Briefing
Future Capability of the UK’s Armed Forces
This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared in advance of a debate on 12 January about the future capability of the UK’s Armed Forces in the current international situation.
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Research Briefing
Leaving the European Union: UK Armed Forces and Diplomatic Service
This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared ahead of the debate on the impact of the withdrawal from the European Union on the United Kingdom’s armed forces and diplomatic service, to be held in the House of Lords on 8 December. The briefing examines current defence capabilities and cooperation between the UK and the EU. It then explores the possible future prospects for UK defence, particularly the role of the armed forces. The latter part of this briefing examines the UK’s diplomatic service, highlighting some of the issues that have arisen about the UK’s diplomatic relationship with the EU and its global role following the UK’s withdrawal. For reasons of brevity, this briefing does not examine the implications of the UK’s withdrawal on wider external relations, such as the UK’s future trade relationships with other countries in and outside the EU, or the impact on overseas development policy. Further reading on these subjects is identified in section 3.
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Research Briefing
Armed Forces: Legal Challenges and Derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights
On 24 November 2016, the House of Lords will debate the case for limiting the number and nature of claims against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and UK armed services personnel arising out of future armed conflict abroad. On 4 October 2016, the Government announced that it would introduce a presumption to derogate from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in future conflicts in order to protect the armed forces from “persistent legal claims”. This briefing will focus on the Government’s recent proposals to derogate from the ECHR. It provides an overview of the legal framework for military operations, summarises some of the key legal claims that have been made against the armed forces, and outlines the work of the Iraq Historic Investigations Team (IHAT).
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Research Briefing
Leaving the European Union: Foreign and Security Policy Cooperation
On 20 October 2016, the House of Lords will debate the implications of the EU referendum for foreign and security policy cooperation with European countries. Theresa May and members of her Cabinet have stated that they intend for the UK to continue to cooperate closely with EU partners on areas such as security, defence, law enforcement and counter-terrorism after leaving the EU, although it is not yet clear exactly what form such cooperation may take.
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Research Briefing
Potential Effect on Peace and Security of the United Kingdom Leaving the European Union
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background reading in advance of the question for short debate on Tuesday 18 October 2016 on the potential effect on peace and stability in Europe and around the world of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.
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Research Briefing
Armed Forces Deployment (Royal Prerogative) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Armed Forces Deployment (Royal Prerogative) Bill [HL] in the House of Lords on 8 July 2016.
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Research Briefing
Iraq Inquiry (Chilcot): Timeline of Principal Developments
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.
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Research Briefing
Investigatory Powers Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages
This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the provisions of the Investigatory Powers Bill ahead of its Lords stages.
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Research Briefing
Register of Arms Brokers Bill [HL]: Briefing for 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.
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Research Briefing
Battle of Jutland: 100 Years Anniversary
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.
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Research Briefing
Queen’s Speech 2016 Day 2: Foreign and European Affairs, International Development and Defence
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.
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Research Briefing
Battle of the Somme: 100 Years Anniversary
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.
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Research Briefing
Armed Forces Bill 2015–16: Briefing for Lords Stages
This briefing provides information in support of the House of Lords consideration of the Armed Forces Bill.
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Research Briefing
Work of the Ad Hoc Committees in 2013–14
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.
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Research Briefing
The Military Service Act 1916: 100 Years
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.
Total results (page 8 of 9)