I spent most of today chairing an interview panel for posts at the History of Parliament. I am a Trustee of the History. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive research projects in British history, presently employing 25 research staff. It began formally in 1951 and has published eight sets of volumes covering different periods of the history of the House of Commons. More recently, it has begun work on the House of Lords and next year will begin looking at the House of Commons after 1832.
The result is a remarkable and indeed essential resource for any serious scholar of the history of Parliament. The intention is to make greater use of the Internet in order to ensure that material is made available to a wider audience.
More details can be found on the History website: http://www.histparl.ac.uk
Fortunately, the interviews finished on time, enabling me to get back to the House in time for the Joint Committee on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. We are now meeting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Bill is designed to affect the relationship between Parliament and Government, a relationship that has been a matter of uncertainty, adjustment and conflict throughout the history of Parliament. Given that we have to report before the end of July, I have not suggested to my colleagues that they read all volumes produced by the History!
Thanks for the link. What is the current timetable for the online volumes?
Good luck on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. I’ve had a swift look at the scope of the Committee and its Call for Evidence: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/Cfe080509.pdf . I’ll try to put some time aside to read through the Bill and debates and ask some sensible questions later.
I assume any of us can write a submission before the deadline of 12 June? I don’t expect to do so myself (too much on!) so this is more in the way of a general question. It’s not easy trawling though every Committee and their Calls – is there a single page where the public can see at a glance all the Calls for Evidence and their deadlines? There are some topics where I would make the time to write in.
Tiz
Thanks for the link. What is the current timetable for the online volumes?
Good luck on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. I’ve had a swift look at the scope of the Committee and its Call for Evidence: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/Cfe080509.pdf . I’ll try to put some time aside to read through the Bill and debates and ask some sensible questions later.
I assume any of us can write a submission before the deadline of 12 June? I don’t expect to do so myself (too much on!) so this is more in the way of a general question. It’s not easy trawling though every Committee and their Calls – is there a single page where the public can see at a glance all the Calls for Evidence and their deadlines? There are some topics where I would make the time to write in.
Tiz
———–
Note, to be deleted before publication!
I posted this with two other comments, in the same login session yesterday, but only this one didn’t get through. Thus, I can’t see that the problem is from my end; I’m wondering how the moderating queues have been set up and suggest site admin have a look at them. If all look OK there, then this problem should probably be reported to WordPress.
I understand the House cannot raise or give scrutiny to money bills.
This operates in slightly different ways depending on a country’s constitution for example; the Australian Senate can request the House of Representatives raise such a bill on their behalf whilst the American Senate can agree/disagree with provisions in such bills.
What seems to be unique in our upper house is the ability to scrutinise National Insurance Contributions Bills. What is the genesis of National Insurance? Why can it be debated and what instruments act to limit National Insurance Contributions on earned income?
References:
Section 7 – Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec3
Section: Money Bills
http://www.aph.gov.au/SEnate/pubs/briefs/brief08.htm
The Constitution and America’s Destiny, By David Brian Robertson
Preview Page 213: The Counter-attack against the Senate
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=i1BzeAqjricC&printsec=frontcover
Generally:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_bill