Download or read book Fourteenth Report of Session 2005 06 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: European Scrutiny Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-01-20 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fourteenth report of Session 2005-06 : Documents considered by the Committee on 11 January 2006, including, Exchange of information between law enforcement authorities, report, together with formal Minutes
Download or read book 17th Report of Session 2004 05 written by Great Britain: Parliament: Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2005-04-12 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 17th report of Session 2004-05 : Special report, the work of the Committee in Session 2004-05
Download or read book The Armed Forces Bill written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2011-03-10 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Committee was tasked by the House of Commons to scrutinise the Bill (Bill 22, session 2010-11, ISBN 9780215557469) which makes various changes to existing Military law. The Committee has taken evidence from a range of witnesses and made several visits to military establishments around the UK. The Report notes the complex debate surrounding the Military Covenant, and outlines the Committee's findings on a range of matters, including the work of the Service Complaints Commissioner for the Armed Forces.
Download or read book Monitoring the Government s response to court judgments finding breaches of human rights written by Great Britain: Parliament: Joint Committee on Human Rights and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-06-28 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the UK's institutional arrangements for protecting human rights, both Parliament and the judiciary have a central role. When the courts give a judgement finding that a law, policy or practice is in breach of human rights, it is for Parliament to scrutinise the adequacy of the Government's response and in some cases decide if there needs to be a change in law. An important part of the role of the Committee is to help Parliament in this function. This report brings together all their monitoring work in relation to both judgements of the European Court of Human Rights and declarations of incompatibility given by UK courts under the Human Rights Act.
Download or read book Recruiting and Retaining Armed Forces Personnel written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Defence Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recruiting & retaining the right number of well-trained personnel is vital for the continuing success of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces. Yet recruitment and retention targets are not being met. There is particular concern about shortages in 'pinchpoint' trades - trades or areas of expertise where there is not enough trained strength to perform operational tasks without encroaching on the time provided between deployments for recuperation, training and leave. This report sets out to examine the factors which hamper recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces and reservists & identify what the MoD is doing to improve these. There is also concern and exmination of the issue of why ethnic minority personnel form such a low proportion of the Armed Forces.
Download or read book The Environment Agency written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-05-11 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With correction slip dated May 2006.
Download or read book The performance of the Department for Transport written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-04 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this report the Transport Committee calls on the Government to implement the vision for transport - including improved traffic flows on motorways, rail electrification and high speed rail, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport - that has been established under the current Secretary of State, Lord Adonis. The Department has made progress in a number of important areas, both recently and over the past decade, and has also established a new sense of direction, despite a too-frequent change of ministers. The Committee reviews progress against the Government's integrated transport plan, 'Transport 2010', which was adopted in 2000. Whilst much has been achieved, the ambition to build up to 25 light rail lines has not. It calls on the Government to publish a comprehensive progress report against the targets that it set itself. It also calls for strong action on local bus services which, outside London, are still not integrated with other local transport services. Bus use outside London continues to decline, apart from a slight increase after the introduction of free bus travel for older and disabled people. The Committee calls for full implementation of the Local Transport Act which gives local authorities powers to introduce bus quality partnerships and quality contracts; and for the Traffic Commissioners to be given adequate resources to carry out punctuality monitoring.
Download or read book Priorities for investment in the railways written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-02-15 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The railways in Britain are currently experiencing historically high levels of investment. Network Rail, the monopoly owner and operator of Britain's fixed rail infrastructure, is investing about £35 billion in the railway network between 2009 and 2014. In this inquiry the Transport Committee assess the value of further investment to enhance Britain's railway network and - within the context of likely public spending reductions following the recession - to identify essential rail investment priorities for the future. Investment in rail enhancements can positively benefit the economy through reducing journey times, providing access to employment, contributing to the regeneration of local areas and, in the short-term, providing much-needed construction jobs. Failure to invest now to enhance the network, and to alleviate capacity constraints, will only damage the prosperity of the railways in the long term. The Committee believes the Government should continue to focus on enhancing the network, promoting integration of transport modes and reacting positively to proposals to develop new rail lines, or reopening old ones, serving communities with little or no access to the rail network. The report sets out which needs and schemes the Committee thinks should be considered high priorities in the medium to long-term.
Download or read book British and Canadian Perspectives on International Law written by Christopher P.M. Waters and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2006-09-29 with total page 427 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: British and Canadian Perspectives on International Law examines the impact of public international law on the United Kingdom’s and Canada’s domestic legal systems. It also analyses the contributions of British and Canadian practice to the development of international norms. Topics addressed include international criminal law, international humanitarian law, human rights and human security, asylum, trade, jurisdiction, ‘reception law’ and media portrayals of international law. Whereas international law scholarship usually takes a global, regional or national approach, this book's chapters are written by leading scholars and practitioners from both countries and provide unique comparative views. While there remains much in common between the two states' understandings of international law, recent developments have shown significant points of departure.
Download or read book Reform of the EU Sugar Regime written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2005-11-17 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The current system of prices, production and import quotas for the EU sugar market, which has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1968, is due to expire in June 2006. It has attracted criticism for its anomalous structure, especially given the reforms to other aspects of the CAP in 2003, and the fact that some elements have been declared illegal by the WTO has added to the pressure for change. Following on from an earlier Committee report on this topic (HCP 550-I, session 2003-04, ISBN 0215018257), this report examines the recent proposals by the European Commission to reform the regime, in the context of the wider Doha round of trade negotiations, focusing on the likely impact on sugar producers and processors in the UK and the wider EU, and the development of the UK Government's position on the proposals. The Committee's conclusions include support for the Commission's reform proposals to secure price reductions in order to bring the European sugar market into balance; and that the UK, in its role as EU President, should support the Commission in minimising any attempts to dilute the reforms.
Download or read book Globalisation written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Treasury Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-10-16 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Globalisation is having an enormous impact on the UK's economy creating significant challenges for policy-making with the shift in economic power from West to East, particularly the rise of China and India in the global economy. The effects will be on felt on highly-skilled jobs as well as some less-skilled employment, and public policy needs to respond to the likely implications for the labour market. The Committee's report considers domestic policy challenges relating to the promotion of innovation and improving the business environment and the skills base in the economy, and issues discussed include: the drivers of globalisation, trade and protectionism, global imbalances, as well as the beneficial and adverse effects of globalisation for the UK economy. The Committee recommends that, in order to promote understanding of the impact of globalisation on jobs and communities, the Government should publish an annual review of new developments affecting the impact of and prospects for globalisation. Given that protectionist sentiment is increasing, posing a threat to the progress of both developed and developing countries, the Committee supports the Government's promotion of a successful conclusion to the Doha trade round. Globalisation is also threatened by the risk of a disorderly unwinding of global imbalances and the success of a reformed International Monetary Fund will be judged by its performance in ensuring global imbalances are properly addressed.
Download or read book Inland Revenue Standard Report written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2006-04-25 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2004-05 HM Revenue and Customs paid £15.8 billion of Tax Credits. The Department recalculates each award annually and has identified that for 2003-04 it overpaid some £2.2 billion to 1.9 million families. It believes that 2004-05 will see a similar level of overpayment. This is partly due to the nature of the scheme where awards are provisionally based on previous income whilst the final award is based on actual income. However the level of overpayment has been higher than was initial estimated and repayments have caused distress to some families. This report looks at measures being taken to reduce overpayments; claimant error and fraud; and the settlement with EDS over problems with the computer system. The Committee attaches great importance to this subject and wish to return to it in the future.
Download or read book The treatment of asylum seekers written by Great Britain: Parliament: Joint Committee on Human Rights and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-03-30 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Committee's report considers human rights issues raised by the treatment of asylum seekers, from the time when they first claim asylum in the UK, through to either the granting of asylum, or, for asylum seekers whose claims are refused, their departure from the UK. The numbers claiming asylum in the UK increased rapidly during the late 1990s, and even though the numbers have reduced significantly every year since 2002, the issue of asylum remains high on the political and public agenda. The Government is required to "secure to everyone within their jurisdiction" the rights contained within the European Convention on Human Rights, including asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers. Issues discussed include: the relevant principal human rights standards and obligations which apply to the UK under the European Convention of Human Rights and other international instruments to which the UK is a party; the system and quality of support available; the provision of healthcare to asylum seekers and refused asylum seekers, in particular the impact of the overseas visitors' charging regulations for secondary healthcare which were introduced in 2004, and proposals to extend this charging scheme to primary care; the Government's reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); the use of detention of asylum seekers and the need for training in refugee and human rights; and the treatment of asylum seekers by the media.
Download or read book The Work of the Committee in the 2001 2005 Parliament written by Great Britain: Parliament: Joint Committee on Human Rights and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2005-05-26 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this report the Committee describes and explains the full range of its work over the course of the 2001-2005 Parliament. The Committee distils from its experience a number of suggestions for consideration by its successor committee and recommendations addressed to the Government, in order to enhance the integration of human rights considerations into the overall policy and legislative process. Chapter 2 explains the background to the Committee's establishment. Chapter 3 covers the legislative scrutiny performed by the Committee. The monitoring of the implementation of the Human Rights Act is the subject of chapter 4, while chapter 5 covers work in relation to institutional support for human rights within the UK. The inquiries into the international treaties to which the UK is a party are dealt with in chapter 6, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The final chapter describes the work undertaken on monitoring action taken by the Government in response to incompatibilities with Convention rights, arising from Strasbourg judgments and declarations of incompatibility by UK courts.
Download or read book The new European motorcycle test written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-23 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In April 2009 a new testing regime, based on the Second EU Driving Licence Directive, was introduced. Deadlines for implementation had not been met and when the new test was finally introduced, it was met with intense criticism and safety concerns. The number of tests taken dropped dramatically in the first few months and the industry suggested that the new test regime would threaten many small businesses and jobs. The Committee was concerned to not only establish whether the test had gone wrong and how problems could be rectified but also to ensure lessons are leaned before the implementation of the Third EU Driving Licence Directive. They concluded that they could not see why the Government failed to obtain derogation from certain speed requirements and that though many elements of the new regime were appropriate it was important to take into account the concerns expressed and consider what adjustments might be required. They also believe that training and instruction for the motorcycle test needs to develop and change to reflect the new test requirements. The off-road module of the test also needs to be amended to allow candidates to adapt their riding to reflect prevailing weather, road and other circumstances. The development of better awareness of motorcyclists among other road users is also crucial and should not be neglected. Though the Government exceeded what was necessary to comply with the EU directive the Committee believes they were right to do so. It is the development of Multi Purpose Test Sites for which justification was weak and implementation inept which represents the least effective element.
Download or read book The proposal for a national policy statement on ports written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Transport Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-17 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: National Policy Statements (NPS) are a key component of the new planning system for nationally significant infrastructure projects, introduced by the Planning Act 2008. The Act stipulates that a proposal for a National Policy Statement will be subject to public consultation and allows for parliamentary scrutiny before designation as national policy by the Secretary of State. The draft Ports National Policy Statement (Department for Transport, 2009) has been welcomed by many organisations as a good start which can be built upon. The Committee has recommended a number of modifications and expects the Department will improve the draft as a result of the consultation and scrutiny processes. The Committee has reservations regarding the Government's 2007 policy for ports and the lack of guidance on location for port development in the NPS but this, of itself, does not make the NPS unfit for purpose. But the Committee cannot recommend designation at this stage on two counts. Firstly, a key, related policy statement - the National Networks NPS - has yet to be published. Secondly, the organisation likely to be one of the principal decision-makers for port development - the Marine Management Organisation - has yet to be established and so has been unable to comment on guidance that will be of great importance to its role. These are fundamental flaws in the consultation process and the Ports NPS should not be designated until they are rectified.
Download or read book Data protection and human rights written by Great Britain: Parliament: Joint Committee on Human Rights and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008-03-14 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report from the Joint Committee of Human Rights (HLP 72/HCP 132, ISBN 9780104012468) examines issues surrounding data protection and human rights, particularly in relation to the recent loss of data by government departments. Personal data should be handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act (PGA 1998 chp. 29, ISBN 9780105429982), whilst the Human Rights Act (PGA 1998 chp. 42, ISBN 9780105442981) safeguards the right to respect personal information. The Committee has expressed concern about the recent lapses in the protection of data in particular where the sharing of information takes place, and that such sharing needs to be justifiable and appropriate. The Committee fundamentally disagrees with the Government's approach about data protection and does not agree that the two Acts offer sufficient protection, and that further primary legislation is needed to make clear the importance of data protection inside and outside government. The Committee also states that the recent lapses are indicative of a symptomatic failure within government to safeguard personal data and that human rights are far from being a mainstream consideration in Government department's. The Committee states that Government needs to set out proposals to rectify this situation. The Committee supports the extension of the Information Commissioner's powers to defend human rights, but expresses regret that it has taken the loss of personal data affecting 25 million people for the Government to take the issue of personal data more seriously. For a related publication, see (HCP 154, session 2007-08, Protection of private data, ISBN 9780215037923).
