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November 2007

Bribery law reform discussed

This Consultation Paper, ‘Reforming Bribery - A Consultation Paper’ (LCCP 185), from the Law Commission looks at the law of bribery in England and Wales.

Planning Bill published

The ‘Planning Bill’ (HCB 11) is a Bill to streamline and improve the planning regime, introducing a single consent regime for major infrastructure projects, establishing an independent Infrastructure Planning Commission, and including further measures to improve the Town and Country Planning System.

Privatisation of QinetiQ reviewed

'The Privatisation of QinetiQ’ (HC 52) examines whether the privatisation of the defence technology business QinetiQ was a good deal for the taxpayer. QinetiQ was created out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) in 2001, specifically to allow the majority of DERA's activities to be privatised.

Nazi spoliation claim resolved

This Paper, ‘Report of the Spoliation Advisory Panel in Respect of the Three Rubens Paintings held by the Courtauld Institute of Art’ (HC 63), examines and resolves a Nazi spoliation claim regarding three Rubens oil sketches.

Welfare and skills reforms explained

This Paper, ‘Opportunity, Employment and Progression: Making Skills Work’ (Cm. 7288), examines the case for reform of welfare and skills provisions in England.

The case for Crossrail

To help inform the debate, 'Government Overview of the Case for Crossrail and its Environmental Impacts’ (Cm 7250) summarises the work that has already been done to assess, control, and mitigate the environmental impacts of Crossrail and explains why the Government believes that the Crossrail project is worthy of its support.

Plaid Cymru MPs conduct criticised

This Report, ‘Conduct of Mr Elfyn Llwyd, Mr Adam Price and Mr Hywel Willliams’ (HC 94), examines complaints into the conduct of three Plaid Cymru Members or Parliament, following allegations of misuse of parliamentary allowances.

Work of Carbon Trust reviewed

This Report, ‘The Carbon Trust: Accelerating the Move to a Low Carbon Economy’ (HC 7), focuses on the function of the Carbon Trust and the cost effectiveness of its work.

Risk in overseas territories examined

This Report, ‘Managing Risk in the Overseas Territories’ (HC 4), examines the work of UK government departments in overseas territories under British sovereignty.

Strategic plan for crime and justice unveiled

This Paper, 'Working Together to Cut Crime and Deliver Justice - A Strategic Plan for 2008-2011' (Cm 7247), sets out a strategic vision for the UK criminal justice system up to 2011.

Thames Gateway regeneration examined

This publication, 'The Thames Gateway: Laying the Foundations' (HC 693), examines the Thames Gateway regeneration programme covering the area between Canary Wharf in London and the mouth of the River Thames, one of the most deprived areas in the Greater South East.

Legal Services Act 2007 published

‘Legal Services Act 2007’ (Chapter 29) reforms the way legal services in England and Wales are regulated and puts the consumer interest at the heart of the regulatory framework. It received Royal Assent on 30 October 2007.

Work patterns in the UK analysed

This National Audit Office Report, ‘Local Labour Market Analysis’ (HC 33), considers the patterns of work and worklessness in the United Kingdom, with an analysis on national, regional and local level.

Work of UK Economic Regulators examined

'UK Economic Regulators’ (HL 189-I) examines the statutory remits of the UK economic regulators, their working methods and working relationships, the value for money they provide and the extent to which the regulators have successfully promoted competition and de-regulated where possible, as well as considering whether they should be given an additional statutory duty to facilitate the competitiveness of UK firms.

Abortion 24 week limit examined

‘Scientific Developments Relating to the Abortion Act 1967’ (HC 1045-I) discusses key scientific and technological issues relating to the law on abortion.

Brown’s policy plans set out

‘Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament’ (Cm. Unnumbered), also known as the Queen's Speech, sets out the Government's legislative programme for the 2007-08 session of Parliament.

Cancellation of asylum accommodation centre reviewed

This National Audit Office Report, ‘The Cancellation of Bicester Accommodation Centre’ (HC 1035), examines the Government's decision in June 2005 to cancel plans for a new purpose-built accommodation centre at Bicester, which was to have been built as part of a pilot programme for people seeking asylum in the UK.

Costs of building roads reviewed

‘Estimating and Monitoring the Costs of Building Roads in England’ (HC 426) is a Report from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts looking at Department for Transport / Highways Agency expenditure on the development of new roads.

Science and Technology Committee to be dissolved

‘The Last Report’ (HC 1108) is the final report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee.

Government responds to public consultation on climate change

‘Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill: The Government Response to Pre-Legislative Scrutiny and Public Consultation’ (Cm. 7225) sets out the Government's response to the public consultation on the 'Draft Climate Change Bill’ (Cm. 7040)

Sustainable transport policy set out

This White Paper, ‘Towards a Sustainable Transport System: Supporting Economic Growth in a Low Carbon World’ (Cm. 7226), examines sustainable transport policy in the light of the Eddington Study and the Stern Report.

Reliance on landfill examined

This Report, ‘Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Reducing the Reliance on Landfill in England’ (HC 212), looks at the issue of landfill in relation to the 1999 EU Directive.

Full employment and world class skills challenges

This Report, 'Full Employment and World Class Skills: Responding to the Challenges' (HC 939), looks at plans to improve the co-ordination of employment and skills policies.


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