Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the Extension of Franchise (House of Lords) Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 February 2020.
In Focus
The Bank of England operates monetary policy in the UK. This article describes how, for much of its history, this involving maintaining the convertibility of the currency into bullion—the gold standard. More recently, the aims of policy have shifted, with the current target being to control inflation. However, debates continue about the appropriate targets of monetary policy, its links with fiscal policy and other aspects of the Bank’s operations.
Current Affairs Digest
Catch-up on articles about the constitution you may have missed from January 2020, including those on increasing the voting age and whether Britain needs a written constitution.
Research Briefing
The House of Lords Library Briefing explores the nature of Serious and Organised Crime in the UK. It includes statistics on the scale of the problem as well as information on the response by the Government and the National Crime Agency.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing sets out how the police service in the UK is governed, including details of recent reforms. It also focuses on how the police are held accountable for their actions through systems of oversight and complaints.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill on 13 January 2020. Committee stage is due to take place on 14, 15 and 16 January 2020, with report and third reading scheduled for 20 and 21 January 2020.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information on the Bank of England. It covers the Bank’s history, its role today and current policy debates around its activities.
Research Briefing
With reference to state openings in 2019, 2017, March 1974 and 1939, this briefing discusses the differences between a traditional state opening and one with reduced ceremonial elements.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 1 of the Lords debate on the December 2019 Queen's Speech, covering the following subjects: foreign affairs, defence, international development, trade, climate change and the environment.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides an overview of the requirements in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 for the Government to publish reports on the progress made towards forming a Northern Ireland executive, and other matters.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 2 of the Lords debate on the December 2019 Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: home affairs, justice, constitutional affairs and devolved affairs.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing covers the maiden and valedictory speeches made during the course of the 2017--2019 parliament. The first and last speeches made by a Member of the House of Lords are significant occasions and, by tradition, are marked with respect by the House.
In Focus
How can the House of Commons pass laws the Lords disagrees with? The answer lies in two key pieces of legislation. The Parliament Act 1911 provided that any public bill rejected by the House of Lords could still be passed as long as three sessions over a two-year period had elapsed from its original second reading to its final third reading in the House of Commons. The Parliament Act 1949, passed 70 years ago, reduced that time period to one year and two sessions.
Research Briefing
According to the Salisbury Convention, the House of Lords gives a second reading to government bills that seek to implement manifesto commitments, does not subject manifesto bills to wrecking amendments and returns manifesto bills to the Commons in reasonable time. This House of Lords Library Briefing examines the development of the convention and looks at the debates on how it applied after the 2010 and 2017 general elections, which both produced a hung parliament.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared to mark the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. It provides a summary of the provisions of the Act and an overview of some of the debates had at the time about introducing and implementing gender equality legislation.
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