Defence Archives

Research Briefing

Battle of the Somme: 100 Years Anniversary

Wednesday, 09 March, 2016

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
- Defence
Research Briefing

Armed Forces Bill 2015–16: Briefing for Lords Stages

Monday, 25 January, 2016

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

Work of the Ad Hoc Committees in 2013–14

Wednesday, 20 January, 2016

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.
Research Briefing

The Military Service Act 1916: 100 Years

Monday, 18 January, 2016

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.
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

United Kingdom’s Role in Supporting International Security and Stability

Friday, 27 November, 2015

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".
Research Briefing

Interception of Communications: The Wilson Doctrine

Tuesday, 27 October, 2015

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

Reports into Investigatory Powers

Friday, 03 July, 2015

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.
Research Briefing

The Role of Soft Power and Non-Military Options in Conflict Prevention

Monday, 01 December, 2014

On 5 December 2014, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the following motion: “that this House takes note of the role of soft power and non-military options in conflict prevention”.
Research Briefing

Britain and the First World War: Parliament, Empire and Commemoration

Monday, 24 March, 2014

The centenary of the start of the First World War will be marked in 2014. Britain entered the conflict in August 1914 and remained at war until November 1918.
Research Briefing

Defence Reform Bill

Friday, 06 December, 2013

This Note provides background information on the Defence Reform Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 10 December 2013.
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

Debate on 7 November: The Armed Forces and Legal Challenge

Friday, 01 November, 2013

This Note looks at some of the issues raised by legal challenges to the Armed Forces.
Research Briefing

Debate on 24 January: Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament

Monday, 21 January, 2013

This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the debate to be held on 24 January on the prospects for multilateral nuclear disarmament, and the contribution which Britain could make.
- Research Briefing
- Defence
Research Briefing

Justice and Security Bill [HL] (HL Bill 27 of 2012–13)

Thursday, 14 June, 2012

This Library Note provides background reading in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Justice and Security Bill on 19 June 2012.
Research Briefing

Debate on 21st January: prospects for nuclear disarmament and strengthening non-proliferation. LLN 2010/002

Friday, 15 January, 2010

Debate on 21st January: Prospects for Nuclear Disarmament and Strengthening Non-Proliferation. This Library Note aims to provide background reading for the Debate to be held on Thursday 21st January: “To call attention to the prospects for multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and for strengthening nuclear non-proliferation” The Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference will take place in May 2010. This Note summarises the main issues addressed in the Foreign Office information paper Lifting the Nuclear Shadow: Creating the Conditions for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons and the Government’s agenda for the Review Conference, as laid out in the Cabinet Office paper The Road to 2010: Addressing the Nuclear Question in the Twenty First Century. The Note also chronicles the main developments in the international community since the publication of these papers and summarises some of the contributions to the nuclear debate from a variety of sources, including the views of the UN Secretary General and the former Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Research Briefing

The potential for nuclear proliferation: debate on 26th March 2009. LLN 2009/003

Friday, 20 March, 2009

The potential for nuclear proliferation. House of Lords Library Note 2009/003

Total results (page 10 of 10)