Research briefings

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• Political developments in Wales to December 2012 Published 01 February 2013 | Standard notes SN06542 Amended 05 February 2013 This note provides an update on political developments in Wales between January and December 2012. It updates the previous Library Standard Note (SN/PC/06177), Political Developments in Wales to December 2011. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales
• Referendum on independence for Scotland Published 15 January 2013 | Standard notes SN06478 Amended 13 February 2013 The UK and Scottish Governments reached agreement in October 2012 on the legislation needed to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. This Note discusses the agreement, and the draft “Section 30 Order” by which the UK Parliament will give the Scottish Parliament the power to hold the vote. It also covers the question of the franchise and some reaction to the agreement. Topic: Constitution, Devolution, Scottish Parliament
• Holtham Commission Published 01 November 2012 | Standard notes SN06288 This note outlines the main recommendations from the Holtham Commission's final report, briefly summarises the Commission’s first report and includes reaction from the Welsh Assembly and UK Government to the Commission’s recommendations. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales, Public expenditure
• UK Election Statistics: 1918-2012 Published 07 August 2012 | Research papers RP12/43 Amended 06 December 2012 This paper presents an overview of results from UK elections since 1918, including elections to the House of Commons, the European Parliament, devolved bodies and local government. Topic: By-elections, Devolution, Election results : UK, Elections, European Parliament, General elections, Local government, Members of Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament
• Debate on 19 July: Silk Commission on Devolution in Wales Published 12 July 2012 | Library notes LLN 2012/030 This Lords Library Note provides background information for the debate on 19 July on the Silk Commission considering the possible devolution of fiscal powers to the National Assembly for Wales. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales, Taxation
• Scotland’s economy: current situation and issues related to independence Published 06 July 2012 | Standard notes SN06292 This note sets out the recent economic performance of Scotland, in particular its relationship with the rest of the UK’s economy, in terms of its growth, economic sectors, labour market, trade and fiscal position. If Scotland were to become ... Topic: Devolution, Economic policy, Economic situation, Public expenditure, Scottish Parliament
• Responsibility for reserved powers in Scotland Published 10 May 2012 | Standard notes SN06322 Amended 18 June 2012 This Standard Note shows which UK government department is responsible for which reserved power in Scotland. It does not provide a definitive list of reserved powers, but is a practical guide to departmental responsibilities. Topic: Devolution, Scottish Parliament
• Scotland Bill: amendments in the House of Lords Published 27 April 2012 | Standard notes SN06302 This Note lists the amendments made to the Scotland Bill in the House of Lords. Significant amendments were made in committee and, in particular, on report following an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments. The Note does not cover amendments that were proposed but not agreed. It therefore summarises the Government amendments and gives a guide to the Bill in its final form. Lords amendments were considered in the Commons on 26 April 2012, and all were agreed. Topic: Devolution, Scottish Parliament
• Devolution in Wales: the Silk Commission Published 09 March 2012 | Standard notes SN06108 This note reproduces the terms of reference for the Commission, and puts them in the context of the Holtham Commission on funding reform in Wales, the fiscal changes proposed for Scotland in the Scotland Bill, and the changes made to the powers of the National Assembly for Wales in May 2011. The Commission will aim to report on fiscal powers in autumn 2012, and on constitutional matters by spring 2014. It is led by Paul Silk, former Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales, Taxation
• Devolution of tax powers to the Scottish Parliament Published 02 February 2012 | Standard notes SN05984 In November 2010 the Coalition Government published the Scotland Bill 2010-11 to implement the recommendations of the Calman Commission, including provisions to give the Scottish Parliament new powers to raise its own revenue. This note discusses the scrutiny given this part of the Bill and the wider debate there has been about devolving tax powers to the Parliament. Topic: Devolution, Scottish Parliament, Taxation
• Scotland Bill: latest developments Published 26 January 2012 | Standard notes SN06185 The Scottish Parliament’s Scotland Bill Committee has recommended that consent for this legislation should be withheld unless significant changes are made to the Bill. This note traces developments since the Bill’s committee stage in the Commons, including amendments made on report, second reading in the Lords, the Scottish Government’s position, and the report of the Committee. Topic: Devolution, Scottish Parliament
• The West Lothian question Published 18 January 2012 | Standard notes SN02586 This note explores the concept of the 'West Lothian Question' in the light of the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1999. Topic: Devolution, Parliament, Scottish Parliament
• Political developments in Northern Ireland June-December 2011 Published 05 January 2012 | Standard notes SN06178 This Standard Note details developments during the first year of the 2011-16 Northern Ireland Assembly. For developments prior to June 2011, see the Library’s previous notes on October 2010 – June 2011, June-October 2010, January-June 2010, and October-January 2009 Topic: Devolution, Northern Ireland Assembly
• Political developments in Wales to December 2011 Published 05 January 2012 | Standard notes SN06177 This note provides an update on political developments in Wales between June and December 2011. It updates the previous Library standard note (SN/PC/5965), Political developments in Wales to June 2011. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales
• Scotland, independence and the EU Published 08 November 2011 | Standard notes SN06110 Amended 13 July 2012 If Scotland became independent, would it automatically remain a member of the European Union (EU) – or would it have to go through the whole accession process for new Member States, either alone or alongside the rest of the UK? Topic: Devolution, Economic and monetary union, EU enlargement, EU institutions, EU law and treaties, International law
• PIL: MPs and Peers with Dual Mandates Published 03 November 2011 | Standard notes SN04101 Dual mandate is the term used to describe those MPs and Peers who, in addition to their seat in the United Kingdom Parliament, also hold a seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs), the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) or the National Assembly for Wales (AMs). Topic: Devolution, Members of Parliament, Members of the Lords, Parliament
• 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
• Political developments in Wales to June 2011 Published 07 July 2011 | Standard notes SN05965 Amended 18 July 2011 This Standard Note details developments during the final year of the third National Assembly for Wales, in advance of the elections on 5 May 2011. For full details of the election results, see Library research paper 11/40. This note also refers to immediate post-election developments. Topic: Devolution, National Assembly for Wales
• Political developments in Scotland to May 2011 Published 07 July 2011 | Standard notes SN05964 Amended 11 July 2011 This Standard Note details developments during the final months of the third Scottish Parliament, in advance of the elections on May 5 2011. For details of the election results, see Library Research Paper RP 11/41. This note has been updated with immediate post-election developments. Topic: Devolution, Scottish Parliament
• Political Developments in Northern Ireland October 2008 to March 2009 Published 05 July 2011 | Standard notes SN05029 Amended 16 October 2012 This note aims to give an update on the political events in Northern Ireland from October 2008 to March 2009. Topic: Devolution, Northern Ireland Assembly