Public Bill Seminar Edward WhiteHouse of Commons Library Research Service28 February 2014

• What does the House of Commons Library do?• The hallmarks of our research• How do we know what’s coming up?• What do we publish throughout the legislative

process?• How can you access this information?• Commenting on our work

Misconceptions

What does the House of Commons Library do?

• Around 60 specialist researchers

• Provides confidential enquiry service

• Proactively publishes range of briefings

The hallmarks of our research

• Expert

• Impartial

• Balanced

• Wide range of sources

How do we know what’s coming up?

• Queen’s Speech• White and Green Papers• Government commitment to pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS)• Weekly Business Statement• UK needs to implement European legislation/react to legal

decisions• On-going contact with civil servants and policy and Bill teams• General awareness of policy area, contact with lobbyists,

constituents, journal reports

What do we publish throughout the legislative process?

• Let’s take the example of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

How can you access this information?

Research Papers and Standard Notes are publically available

• The Library’s pages (RPs and SNs)- – http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/

• Linked to from the ‘Bill pages’ (RPs and some SNs)-– http://services.parliament.uk/bills/

• Follow us on Twitter - @commonslibrary

Commenting on our work

• Comments can be sent to papers@parliament.uk HCinfo@parliament.uk

• Any questions?