Research briefings

This page provides access to research briefings produced by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). You can find research briefings by sorting by date, type, or one of 350 topics. Pick your options from the dropdown menus.

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    Glossary

    • Commons Library Research Papers: in-depth and impartial analysis on every major piece of primary legislation and on other major topics of public and parliamentary concern. Regular statistics papers are also published.
    • Commons Library Standard Notes: 3,000 briefings on topical issues or frequently asked questions.
    • Lords Library Notes: Written by the research section of the House of Lords Library to provide information on topics of current interest to members
    • POSTnotes: Short briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology analysing policy issues that have a basis in science and technology.
    • POST Reports: Occasional major reports produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Displaying 1-20 out of 187

  • Debate on 16 February: Recent Developments in the European Union Published 10 February 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/004 This Library Note considers reaction to recent developments in the EU, ahead of the debate in the House of Lords on 16 February 2012. Topic: Economic and monetary union, EU law and treaties
  • The European Union Today Published 09 February 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/003 This Library Note provides a broad outline of the history and development of the European Union; and presents statistics comparing the EU to the US, Japan, China and Russia. Topic: EU law and treaties, Europe
  • Question for Short Debate on 8 February: Blockade of Gaza Published 03 February 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/002 Amended 06 February 2012 This Library Note provides an overview of the blockade of Gaza by the Government of Israel, including its history, attempts to bypass the blockade and recent developments. It then examines the impact of the blockade on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and finally the response of the British Government. Topic: Human rights, International development, Middle East
  • Question for Short Debate on 2 February: Human Trafficking Published 23 January 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/001 This Lords Library Note provides definitions of human trafficking, statistics on its incidence, and an outline of domestic and international policy to combat the problem. Topic: Asylum, Crime, Immigration, Sexual offences
  • Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords Published 14 December 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/039 Amended 16 December 2011 This Library Note outlines the development of expense allowances payable to members of the House of Lords, and provides statistics on their rates and overall cost. Topic: House of Lords, Members of the Lords
  • Debate on 1 December: International Development Policy and the Situation of Dalits Published 28 November 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/037 This Library Note provides an overview of the situation of Dalits in South Asia and looks at the issue of caste-based discrimination in India. It also examines the Government’s international development policy for India, currently the largest recipient of UK development aid. Topic: Asia, Human rights, International development
  • House of Lords: Religious Representation Published 25 November 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/036 Amended 23 December 2011 This Library Note considers the current role of the Bishops in the House of Lords, and religious representation in the House generally in the context of the Government’s proposals for reform. Topic: House of Lords, Members of the Lords, Religion and faith communities
  • Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (HL Bill 109 of 2010–12) Published 15 November 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/035 This Library Note provides background information in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. Topic: Administration of justice, Criminal law, Legal aid
  • Public Attitudes Towards the House of Lords and House of Lords Reform Published 11 November 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/034 Amended 14 November 2011 This Library Note provides information on public attitudes towards the House of Lords, and reform of the House, using the findings of various opinion polls. Topic: House of Lords
  • Protection of Freedoms Bill (HL Bill 99 of 2010-12) Published 03 November 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/033 This Library Note provides background information in advance of the Protection of Freedoms Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords. Topic: Civil partnerships, Crime, Data protection, Freedom of information, Police, Privacy, Terrorism
  • Debate on 3 November: The Creative Industries Published 28 October 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/032 Amended 16 December 2011 This Library Note aims to provide background reading for the debate on the importance of the creative industries in the United Kingdom. Topic: Arts, Business support, Companies, Industry, Intellectual property
  • Delegated Legislation in the House of Lords since 2000 Published 26 October 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/031 Amended 01 November 2011 This Library Note provides information on the powers, conventions and practice of the House of Lords in dealing with delegated legislation. Topic: House of Lords, Legislative process, Parliamentary procedure
  • Debate on 20 October: Teaching of History in Schools Published 14 October 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/030 Amended 12 January 2012 This Library Note provides background reading for the debate on the teaching of history in schools. Topic: Schools
  • Health and Social Care Bill (HL Bill 92 of 2010-12) Published 05 October 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/029 Amended 16 December 2011 This Library Note provides background information in advance of the Health and Social Care Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords. Topic: Health services
  • Volume of Legislation Published 19 September 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/028 Amended 01 November 2011 This House of Lords Library Note looks at the volume of Acts of Parliament since 1930 from the perspective of the House of Lords, as well as at the volume of Statutory Instruments since 1961. Topic: Legislative process
  • Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill (HL Bill 91 of 2010-12) Published 19 September 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/027 Amended 01 November 2011 The Bill would replace the existing control orders regime with Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures, to restrict the activities of individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism. This Library Note provides background information in advance of the Bill's second reading in the House of Lords. Topic: Terrorism
  • Debate on 8 September: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Role of the Commonwealth Published 25 August 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/026 Amended 01 November 2011 This Library Note provides background information for the debate on 8 September 2011 on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the role of the Commonwealth Topic: International organisations
  • House of Lords Reform: Chronology 1900-2010 Published 21 July 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/025 Amended 16 December 2011 This Library Note provides a chronology of key developments in the reform of the House of Lords since 1900. Topic: House of Lords, Members of Parliament, Members of the Lords, Parliamentary procedure
  • History of the House of Lords Library Published 14 July 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/024 Amended 26 October 2011 This House of Lords Library Note provides a brief history of the Library from its foundation in 1826 to the present day. Topic: House of Lords
  • Scotland Bill (HL Bill 79 of 2010-12) Published 11 July 2011 | Library notes LLN 2011/023 Amended 01 November 2011 This Library Note provides information for the second reading of the Scotland Bill in the House of Lords. Topic: Devolution

Related information

House of Commons Library

The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.

If you have any comments on briefings from the Commons Library, please contact papers@parliament.uk.

Please note, authors are not available to discuss the contents of papers with members of the general public.

House of Lords Library

The House of Lords Library delivers research and information services to Members and staff of the House in support of parliamentary business.

Email holresearchservices@parliament.uk with comments on Lords Library Notes.

Please note that authors are not available to discuss the contents of Library Notes with members of the general public.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

POST produces independent, balanced and accessible briefings on public policy issues related to science and technology. You can leave feedback at www.surveymonkey.com/postnote