• Research Briefing

    Policing and Crime Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

    This House of Lords Library briefing provides an overview of the provisions of the Policing and Crime Bill. It focuses on the provisions of the Bill which concern the emergency services; the police complaints and disciplinary systems; the police workforce; police powers; and the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It outlines the policy background in those areas, and a summary of some of the key amendments made to the Bill during committee and report stages in the House of Commons.

  • 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.

  • Research Briefing

    Royal Charters and Parliamentary Scrutiny

    This Library briefing provides information on royal charters, outlining the Sovereign’s prerogative power to grant them, and briefly describing their function. It also provides an overview of two examples of royal charters—the self-regulation of the press and the BBC—and discusses Parliament’s role in their scrutiny.

  • Research Briefing

    Bombing of the Houses of Parliament: 75th Anniversary

    This House of Lords briefing provides an overview of the events of 10–11 May 1941, when the German Air Force launched an air raid on London, and dropped bombs on the Palace of Westminster, destroying the House of Commons Chamber and damaging the House of Lords Chamber, Westminster Hall and the Clock Tower. It also briefly describes the arrangements made after the attack for the rebuilding of a new House of Commons Chamber. The briefing has been prepared to mark the 75th anniversary of the bombing.

  • Research Briefing

    QSD on Marking the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.