Terrorism

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on terrorism. 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
30.04.2012Select bibliography of terrorism resources
A short selective bibliography of terrorism resources. This includes reports on terrorism legislation by the Independent reviewer and government policy.
16.03.2012Protection of Freedoms Bill: Lords amendments
This note summarises the Lords amendments to the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which are due to be considered by the Commons on 19 March 2012.
16.03.2012Pre-Charge Detention in Terrorism Cases
This note provides a short history of Government policy on the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects and considers proposals for change suggested by the Coalition Government, which have been included in the Protection of Freedoms Bill.
28.02.2012Somalia: recent political, security and humanitarian developments
This note surveys the military set-backs experienced by al-Shabaab since the beginning of 2011, the motives behind the current Kenyan incursion into southern Somalia, recent international efforts to promote a viable political process on the ground and the continuing food crisis in the country.
27.02.2012Preventing violent extremism
This note gives information on the Prevent strategy, which is aimed at tackling religious extremism. It covers the review of the strategy following the change of Government in 2010, outlines the new strategy, and includes information on integration work, which has now been separated out and will be led by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Research Papers

DateDescription
14.12.2011Southeast Asia: A political and economic introduction
This paper provides a broad introduction to Southeast Asia. It offers key facts and figures about the region, followed by country studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It then looks more analytically at two key issues for the region: democratisation and Islamist terrorism. It ends with a select bibliography.
15.11.2011The Arab Uprisings
Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region's revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies' divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region's militaries are considered.
24.08.2011Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill. It complements Research Paper 11/46 prepared for the Commons Second Reading. Report Stage and Third Reading are scheduled for 5 September 2011.
28.06.2011Protection of Freedoms Bill: Committee Stage Report Bill 189 of 2010-11
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Protection of Freedoms Bill. It complements Research Paper 11/20 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
01.06.2011Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill
This briefing on the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill has been prepared for the second reading debate on the Bill in the House of Commons. This is due to take place on 7 June 2011

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
14.11.2011Draft Detention of Terrorist Suspects (Temporary Extension) Bills.
Government response. Home Office report [Commons and Lords]
01.10.2011Legislative scrutiny: Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill - government response to the...
Government response. Home Office report [Commons]
14.09.2011Constitution Select Committee (HL) nineteenth report on the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures...
Constitution Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
06.09.2011Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011: stop and search without reasonable suspicion (second report)....
Human Rights Joint Select Committee report [Commons and Lords]
07.06.2011Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011: Stop and Search without Reasonable Suspicion.
Human Rights Joint Select Committee report [Commons and Lords]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
07.11.2011GUNPOWDER PLOT
That this House believes that the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot should be properly commemorated and that the significance of 5 November should be remembered; recognises the importance ...
12.10.2011ENDING COMPENSATION FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORIST ACTIVITY
That this House notes with great concern the recent High Court judgement in Belfast where compensation was awarded to a man convicted of involvement in terrorist activities; and urgently ...
07.09.2011NEW DELHI BOMBING
That this House condemns the perpetrators of the bomb blast in New Delhi on 7 September 2011; sends its condolences to the families of the 11 people that were killed and the many others ...
13.07.2011BOMBINGS IN MUMBAI
That this House expresses its shock andrevulsion at the terrorist attacks on the Zaveri Bazaar, Dadar and the Opera House in Mumbai; is deeply saddened by the loss of life and suffering ...
14.06.2011COMPENSATION FOR UK VICTIMS OF OVERSEAS TERRORISM
That this House notes the continuing risks to British citizens abroad from terrorist attacks; further notes that the Government currently pays compensation to those affected by terrorism ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
03.11.2011Protection of Freedoms Bill (HL Bill 99 of 2010-12)
This Library Note provides background information in advance of the Protection of Freedoms Bill's second reading in the House of Lords.
19.09.2011Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Bill (HL Bill 91 of 2010-12)
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.

POST Papers

DateDescription
22.09.2011Cyber Security in the UK
Cyber security refers to defences against electronic attacks launched via computer systems. This POSTnote looks at approaches to cyber security in the context of large-scale attacks, with a focus on national infrastructure.
01.07.2009The dual-use dilemma, July 2009
This note examines three scientific areas posing a significant risk of misuse and considers how to tackle dual-use dilemmas in these and other areas.

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) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library