North America

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on North America. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
20.12.2011Drone attacks and the killing of Anwar al-Awlaqi: legal issues
Anwar al-Awlaqi, a dual US-Yemeni citizen described as the 'leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula', was killed by a US drone attack in Yemen on 30 September 2011. Whether this was legal under international or US law is a matter of considerable debate.
15.01.2010Sources of International Social Statistics
International sources of social statistics. By Kathryn Keith. SN/SG/3140.
17.02.2009The UK-US Defence Trade Co-Operation Treaty

Research Papers

DateDescription
25.07.2013The Quebec referendums
This paper gives a brief outline of separatism in Quebec, showing that many of the arguments in Canada are already being echoed in the debate about Scotland's future relationship with the rest of the UK.
24.04.2009Russia and the West
A year on from Dmitry Medvedev's succession to the Kremlin, this paper analyses the evolution of Russian foreign policy under both Putin and Medvedev. It seeks to identify the main themes, interests, and objectives of Russian foreign policy, and to appraise the role of President Medvedev in the direction of Russian diplomacy and his relationship with Prime Minister Putin. In so doing, it examines, in detail, Russia's relationship with the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UK and analyses the role of energy in relations between Russia and the West. Finally, it looks ahead at the prospects for the relationship in light of President Obama's declared intention to press the 'reset' button in US-Russian relations.
14.01.2009Social Indicators
This Research Paper summarises a wide range of social statistics. Subjects covered include crime and justice, defence, education, elections, health and population. This edition of Social Indicators includes an article from the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, Washington , D.C.. This edition includes: Social background of the United States Congress 2009 Local authority finance in a recession 2011 UK Census of Population Underage drinking Excess winter mortality
14.11.2008US Elections 2008
Elections for US President, Senate, House of Representatives and 11 State Governors, 4 November 2008. Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama won the US Presidential Election, defeating the Republican candidate Senator John McCain.
15.11.20042004 US Presidential and Congressional election results
2004 US Presidential and Congressional election results. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/81.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
18.03.2010Global Security: UK-US Relations.
Foreign Affairs Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
24.01.2012GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
That this House salutes the courage and leadership of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords over the last year; believes that she has been a shining example of democracy to people across ...
25.11.2010GUANTANAMO BAY
That this House notes with regret that President Obama's pledge to close the US Military Detention Centre at Guantnamo Bay by January 2010 is almost one year overdue and little closer ...
24.11.2010DETAINEES IN GUANTANAMO BAY
That this House is concerned about financial pay-outs, potentially of millions of pounds, to 16 terror suspects who were Guantanamo Bay detainees; notes for the record that many of ...
21.10.2010NATIONAL EXPRESS AND TRADE UNION RIGHTS
That this House deplores the continuing anti-union behaviour of management at UK-based National Express Group's North American yellow school bus subsidiaries; notes that National Express ...
18.10.2010JUSTICE FOR OSCAR GRANT RALLY
That this House sends a message of solidarity to the rally organised by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to be held on 23 October 2010 to demand justice for Oscar Grant, ...

POST Papers

DateDescription
01.04.2011Unconventional gas, April 2011
This POSTnote examines the potential for unconventional gas exploitation in the UK, the regulatory regimes covering such activity, and the issues surrounding the extraction and use of the gas.
01.12.2006Military uses of space, December 2006
Military uses of space, December 2006. POSTnote 06/273.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords