Search

Contains the 4th session of the 28th Parliament through the session of the Parliament.

In this report the Liaison Committee conducts a brief review of House of Lords policy committees, in advance of the appointment of those committees in the new Parliament

The Finance Bill 2009 published as HC Bill 90-I, II, session 2008-09 (ISBN 9780215533494)

This white paper sets out the Government's proposals for a reformed second chamber. It stems from the constructive discussions in a Cross-Party Group on House of Lords Reform, which followed the March 2007 Parliamentary votes on the proposals contained in the February 2007 white paper ("The House of Lords: reform", Cm. 7027, ISBN 9780101702720). The Group reached consensus on a number of key issues, and this paper states where agreement was not reached. The white paper sets the context for decisions on House of Lords reforms and goes on to consider issues around, and options for, electoral systems. The effect of different electoral systems is examined against two scenarios: that the House is either 100 per cent or 80 per cent elected. The paper then looks at the powers of the second chamber. It suggests possible arrangements for any appointed elements, but there are no concrete proposals yet. Finally the white paper addresses other issues around the operation of a reformed second chamber and explores transitional arrangements.

On 30th January 2008 the Home Secretary laid before both Houses of Parliament a draft Order to renew the control order legislation, the third annual extension of the control order regime. The Government takes the view that no amendments to the legal framework are necessary. The Committee disagrees and considers it imperative for the Government to amend counter-terrorism laws where experience has shown them to lead to breaches of human rights. Amongst their recommendations are: ensurance of timely availability of Lord Carlile's annual report on the control orders; the need to strengthen the intrusive powers contained in the control orders; modification of the Prevention of Terrorism Act to impose a maximum daily limit 12 hours on the curfew which can be imposed; review of the fairness of the special advocate procedure and a need to take into account the Committee's own earlier recommendations concerning this; maintaining the preferred policy of priority of prosecution; and greater transparency of decisions that prosecution is not possible.