G20 protests examined
The G20 protests in London in April 2009 were mostly peaceful in intent. However, they were marred by a death, alleged assaults of protesters by police officers, the use of containment tactics against protesters, and alleged refusals of some police officers to reveal their identity.
This Report, 'Demonstrating Respect for Rights? Follow-up' (HL Paper 141 / HC 522), investigates the protests during the G20 summit.
Committee finds 'appetite for constitutional change'
In this Report, 'Constitutional Reform and Renewal' (HC 923), the Justice Committee states that it recognises the appetite in many quarters for fundamental constitutional change and welcomes the Government's renewed focus on constitutional reform and renewal in response to this.
National Flu Service delay questioned
The initial focus of the Science and Technology Committee's inquiry was on the spread of the avian flu virus H5N1 as one of the most likely causes of the next pandemic.
Following the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico in March 2009 and its rapid global spread, the Committee shifted the focus of attention to UK preparedness in terms of the Government's response to the emerging pandemic and subsequent events.
This Report, 'Pandemic Influenza: Follow-up' (HL Paper 155), commends the steps that the Government has taken to prepare for the pandemic.