This House of Lords Library briefing sets out a short history of the Schengen Agreement and provides a timeline for major events in its development. It also provides further information on recent developments, including the temporary reintroduction of border controls by member states in response to recent increases in refugees and migrants from outside of the Schengen Area and in response to the terror attacks in Paris in November 2015.
This House of Lords Library briefing sets out recent developments in the BBC Charter review process, in advance of a question for short debate in the House of Lords on 10 March 2016 on progress on the discussions surrounding the renewal of the BBC Charter.
On 9 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning sovereign in British history. This House of Lords Library briefing focuses on the Sovereign as part of the constitution of Parliament. It captures key aspects of the role of the Sovereign as it relates, in practice, to Parliament today, with an emphasis on the House of Lords. It does this through addressing a selection of the ceremonial and formal roles of the Sovereign: the State Opening of Parliament and its prorogation and dissolution; the calling of a new Parliament, in light of the Fixed-term Parliament Act 2011; Royal Commissions and royal assent; and Queen’s consent. The briefing also addresses a number of aspects of the Sovereign’s communications and relationship with Parliament more broadly, through Addresses and messages and the Palace of Westminster itself. It provides facts and figures relating to Queen Elizabeth II including: the number of Acts that have received Royal Assent during her reign, Addresses given by the Queen to both Houses in Westminster Hall, and the wording of Queen Elizabeth II’s first message to Parliament on her accession to the throne in 1952.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (Information) Bill in the House of Lords on 26 February 2016.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill in the House of Lords on 26 February 2016.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the Riot Compensation Bill in the House of Lords on 26 February 2016.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc) Bill in the House of Lords on 26 February 2016.
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information relating to International Women’s Day, due to be marked on 8 March 2016, and the theme this year of gender parity.
This Lords Library briefing provides information on the prevalence of diabetes in the UK and sets out some of the policies and actions being implemented to help tackle the issue.
This Library Note provides statistics and background information on the changing size of the House of Lords since the 1992–93 session alongside commentary and debates on the subject of the House’s size over recent years.
This House of Lords Library briefing considers recent developments in Poland following the election of the Law and Justice party in the October 2015 Parliamentary elections.