Securing a Sustainable Future for Higher Education: An Independent Review of Higher Education Funding & Student Finance, October 2010
The Review was chaired by Lord Browne of Madingley
�An independent Panel to review the funding of higher education and make recommendations to ensure that teaching at our HEIs is sustainably financed, that the quality of that teaching is world class and that our HEIs remain accessible to anyone who has the talent to succeed.�
Link to the Browne Review of Higher Education Funding & Student Finance, October 2010
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, June 2010
The Inquiry was chaired by Lord Saville of Newdigate
�The object of the Inquiry was to examine the circumstances that led to loss of life in connection with the civil rights march in Londonderry on 30th January 1972. Thirteen civilians were killed by Army gunfire on the day. The day has become generally known as Bloody Sunday, which is why at the outset we called this Inquiry the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. In 1972 Lord Widgery, then the Lord Chief Justice of England, held an inquiry into these same events.�
Link to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, June 2010
The Stern Review: A Report by Baroness Vivien Stern CBE of an independent review into how rape complaints are handled by the public authorities in England and Wales, March 2010
The Review was led by Baroness Stern
�Our terms of reference required us to look at the response of public authorities to rape complaints. We were asked to consider how the response could be improved so that more victims might report what had happened to them; more cases would end with prosecution and conviction; and victims would receive better treatment. We were not looking at child sexual abuse, which is a topic in its own right. Nor were we looking at possible changes in the law.�
Link to the Stern Review of Rape Reporting, March 2010
Making it work: the European Social Fund. Report by the House of Lords European Union Sub-Committee on Social Policy and Consumer Affairs, March 2010
The Sub-Committee was chaired by Baroness Howarth of Breckland
�Our objectives for this inquiry were threefold:
� To assess the effectiveness of the ESF, both in meeting its objectives and in responding to the challenges raised by the financial crisis;
� To establish whether the policy priorities of the ESF need to be amended in the context of the economic recovery and the imminent adoption of Europe 2020 (see Box 1); and
� To make recommendations on the long-term role and functioning of the ESF, within the context of the EU Budget Review.�
Link to the House of Lords European Union Committee Report, March 2010
Nanotechnologies and Food. Report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, January 2010
The Sub-Committee was chaired by Lord Krebs
�We launched this inquiry into the use of nanotechnologies in the food sector to investigate whether nanotechnologies may indeed play a valuable role in the food sector, whether effective systems are in place to ensure that consumers are aware of and protected against any potential risks, and to understand and address some of the concerns that the public may have about these new technologies.�
Link to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report, January 2010
Genomic Medicine. Report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee, July 2009
The Sub-Committee was chaired by Lord Patel
�In our inquiry, we have investigated these many aspects of genomic medicine, and make recommendations to ensure that the challenges afforded by advances in genomic science are met and the opportunities exploited.�
Link to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report, July 2009
The Turner Review: A regulatory response to the global banking crisis, March 2009
The Review was led by Lord Turner of Ecchinswell.
�The Chancellor of the Exchequer asked me in October 2008 to review the causes of the current crisis, and to make recommendations on the changes in regulation and supervisory approach needed to create a more robust banking system for the future. This Review responds to that remit, focusing on the fundamental and long-term questions. It does not address the short-term challenge of macroeconomic management over the next few years, though it does comment on ways in which the transition path to new more stable arrangements must be managed in the light of that short-term challenge. And its focus is on banking and bank-like institutions, and not on other areas of the financial services industry. �
Link to the Turner Review, March 2009
The Sutherland Inquiry into national curriculum test delivery, December 2008
The Inquiry was led by Lord Sutherland of Houndwood.
�The inquiry has been established because of problems that have arisen in the delivery of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 National Curriculum tests in 2008, leading to a delay in the release of results to schools from the planned date of 8 July."
Text of the Report of the Sutherland Inquiry, December 2008
Independent Committee on Climate Change
Lord Turner of Ecchinswell is Chair of this statutory Committee, which published its first report in December 2008.
�As a key part of the long-term legal framework set out in the draft Climate Change Bill published in March 2007, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is being created as a new expert body, which will independently assess how the UK can optimally achieve its emissions reductions goals for 2020 and 2050.
The Committee on Climate Change will be a high profile independent statutory non-departmental public body and will play a crucial part in the UK�s effort to tackle climate change.
The draft Climate Change Bill proposes that the CCC should advise Government:
� on the level of each five year carbon budget, consistent with the optimal trajectory towards the statutory 2050 and 2020 limits
� how much effort should be made in the UK and overseas
� how much effort should be made by the part of the economy covered by cap and trade schemes, and by the rest of the economy."
First reort of the establishment of the Independent Climate Change Committee, December 2008
House of Lords Science & Technology Committee Reports, 2007-08
The Committee was chaired by Lord Sutherland of Houndwood.
The Committee has produced several high-profile Reports in the 2007-08 session including:
� Waste Reduction
� Systematics and Taxonomy: Follow-up
� Personal Internet Security: Follow-up
� Air Travel and Health Update: Government Response.
Website of the House of Lords Science & Technology Committee
Independent Review into Disproportionate Regulatory Outcomes for Black and Minority Ethnic Solicitors, July 2008
The Review was led by Lord Ouseley.
"This Report is about how black and minority ethnic (BME) solicitors are treated by the Solicitors� Regulation Authority (SRA).
It has been prepared following an extensive independent review of the work of the SRA, its approaches to equality and diversity in the profession, in its workforce, as a regulatory body, in all its activities and its responses to BME solicitors� complaints and concerns about differential treatment and disproportionality."
Link to the Ouseley Report on the Solicitor�s Regulation Authority, July 2008
Crossrail Bill - First Special Report, July 2008
The Committee was chaired by Viscount Colville of Culross.
"The Select Committee on the Crossrail Bill was appointed by the House of Lords on 17 January 2008 with the orders of reference �to consider the Crossrail Bill� ".
Website of the Crossrail Bill Committee
European Union Committee: Social and Consumer Affairs (Sub-Committee G)
The Committee was chaired by Baroness Howarth of Breckland.
During the 2007-8 session, the Sub-Committee produced numerous reports on EU-related topics including:
� Increasing the supply of donor organs within the European Union
� Current Developments in European Foreign Policy: Burma
� The Passenger Name Record (PNR) Framework Decision
� The European Union and Russia
� The Treaty of Lisbon: an impact assessment
� The Single Market: Wallflower or Dancing Partner?
� Protecting the consumers of timeshare products.
Website of EU Sub-Committee G
Joint Committee on the Draft Marine Bill - First Report, July 2008
The Committee was chaired by Lord Greenway.
"The Joint Committee on the Draft Marine Bill was appointed by the House of Commons and the House of Lords on 13 May 2008 to examine the draft Marine Bill and report to both Houses by 22 July 2008."
Website of the Draft Marine Bill Committee
Report of Lord Dearing's School Languages Review, March 2007
Lord Dearing led the Review.
The Education Secretary asked Lord Dearing to see what more could be done to encourage 14-16 year olds to study GCSE or other language courses leading to a recognised qualification.
Text of the Report of the Dearing School Languages Review on the website of the Department for Education
"Global health partnerships: the UK contribution to health in developing countries" - The Crisp Report, February 2007
Lord Crisp wrote the Report.
Lord Crisp wrote the report in response to an
invitation from the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Health and International Development to look at how UK experience and expertise
in health could be used to best effect to help improve health in developing countries.
Text of the Crisp Report on the Department of Health website
House of Lords Science & Technology Committee Reports, 2005 - 2006
Lord Broers is Chairman of the Committee.
Drawing on top scientific expertise in the House of Lords, the varied Reports of this Committee influence public policy around the world.
S&T; Committee Reports page on the House of Lords website
Homes for rural communities: Report of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Rural Housing Policy Forum, April 2006
Lord Best and Mark Shuksmith wrote the Report.
"The Joseph Rowntree Foundation set up the Rural Housing Policy Forum in 2005 to consider the issues around the problem of shortages of affordable housing in rural areas, and to suggest remedies.
After a series of formal meetings, and visits to rural communities in different parts of England, the Rural Housing Policy Forum has come to a number of key conclusions.
."
Text of the Report on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website
Second Report of the Pensions Commission, November 2005
Lord Turner of Ecchinswell was the Chair of the Commission.
The Pensions Commission was set up in 2002 to review the UK private pension system and long-term savings.
Website of the Pensions Commission
Joint science academies� statement: Global Response to Climate Change, June 2005
Lord May of Oxford initiated this historic global declaration.
This joint declaration of the G8 national science academies was also signed by those of Brazil, China and India. It represents the consensus of
world scientists concerning human activity and climate change and was signed ahead of the G8 Heads of Government meeting at Gleneagles, July 2005.
Press release and text of the Joint Declaration on the Royal Society website
Lords Select Committee Report on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, April 2005
Lord Joffe was the sponsor of the Bill.
"The Committee was appointed on 31 March 2004 to report on the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill [HL]."
Select Committee homepages on the Parliamentary website
"A more secure world: Our shared responsibility"
Report of the UN Secretary General�s High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, December 2004
Lord Hannay of Chiswick was a member of the High Level Panel.
There were six clusters of threats identified by the Report:
� war between States;
� violence within States, including civil wars, large-scale human rights abuses
and genocide;
� poverty, infectious disease and environmental degradation;
� nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological weapons;
� terrorism;
� transnational organized crime.
United Nations website
Lloyd Public Inquiry into Gulf War Illnesses
Lord Lloyd of Berwick was Head of the Inquiry which reported in November 2004.
"To investigate the circumstances that have led to the ill health, and in some cases death, of over 6,000 British troops following deployment to the first Gulf War, and to report."
Website of the Lloyd Inquiry and Report
The Butler Review
Lord Butler of Brockwell was Chairman of the Review which reported to the House of Commons in July 2004. Lord Inge was also a member.
"Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction."
Website of the Butler Review and Report
The Hutton Report, January 2004
Lord Hutton was Chairman of the Inquiry.
"Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of
Dr David Kelly."
Website of the Hutton Inquiry and Report
Report of the Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group, September 2003
Lord Chan of Oxton was Chairman of the Working Group.
"....to develop recommendations for the statutory regulation of acupuncture."
Homepages of the Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group on the Department of Health website
Report of the Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures, July 2003
Baroness Richardson of Calow and Baroness Warnock were members of the select
committee.
"....to conduct an inquiry into the use of animals in
scientific procedures in the United Kingdom."
Text of the Report of the Lords Select Committee on
Animals in Scientific Procedures
Report of the Lords Select Committee on Religious Offences in England and Wales, June 2003
Viscount Colville of Culross chaired and Lord Bhatia and Baroness Richardson of
Calow sat on the Select Committee.
"....to consider and report on the law relating to religious
offences."
Text of the Report of the Lords Select Committee on
Religious Offences in England and Wales
Second Report of the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform, April 2003
Lord Weatherill and Viscount Bledisloe sat on the Joint Committee.
"....to consider issues relating to House of Lords reform."
Text of the Second Report of the Joint Committee on House
of Lords Reform
Report of the Victoria Climbi� Inquiry, January 2003
Lord Laming chaired the Inquiry.
"....The independent statutory inquiry set up to investigate the
circumstances leading to the death of Victoria Climbi� and to recommend action
to prevent such a tragedy happening again."
Website of the Victoria Climbi� Inquiry
SET FAIR - Report on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, November 2002
Baroness Greenfield was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Trade &
Industry to write the Report.
"....report outlining a strong and effective approach for the UK
on the difficulties for women in science, with specific points of action."
Text of the Greenfield Report, November 2002
Text of the Government's Response to the Greenfield
Report, April 2003
Report of the Select Committee on Stem Cell Research, February 2002
The Earl of Carnarvon and Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve sat on the Select
Committee.
"....the Select Committee appointed to consider and report on
the issues connected with human cloning and stem cell research arising from the
Human Fertilisation (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001."
Text of the Report of the Select Committee on Stem Cell
Research
Report of the Lords Committee to review Chinook ZD 576 crash, January 2002
Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle chaired and Lord Tombs sat on the Committee.
"....Select Committee appointed to consider the justification
for the findings of those reviewing the conclusions of the RAF Board of Inquiry
that both pilots of the Chinook helicopter ZD 576 which crashed on the Mull of
Kintyre on 2 June 1994 were negligent."
Text of the Report of the Lords Select Committee on
Chinook ZD 576
Report of the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, June 2001
Lord Cullen chaired the Inquiry.
"....Part I of the Inquiry is concerned with the investigation
of the causes of the crash and the circumstances in which it occured. Part II
is concerned, in regard to the railways, with the management of safety and the
regulatory regime."
Text of Part I of the Report of the Ladbroke Grove Rail
Inquiry
Text of Part II of the Report of the Ladbroke Grove Rail
Inquiry
Text of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, which
followed Lord Cullen's Report
Report of the Select Committee on Science & Technology on the Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis, March 2001
Lord Lewis of Newnham, Lord Oxburgh, Lord Quirk and Lord Walton of Detchant sat
on the Select Committee.
"This Inquiry was convened to examine the current state of
research into the therapeutic uses of cannabis, the roles of the Home Office
and the Medicines Control Agency in the licensing of cannabis-based medicines,
and more recent issues relating to the prosecution of therapeutic cannabis
users."
Report of the Select Committee on Science &
Technology on the Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis
Seventh Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life: Standards of Conduct in the House of Lords, November 2000
Lord Neill of Bladen chaired the Committee.
"To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all
holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and
commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present
arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of
propriety in public life."
Text of the Seventh Report of the Committee on Standards
in Public Life: Standards of Conduct in the House of Lords
BSE Inquiry Report, October 2000
Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers chaired the Inquiry.
"To establish and review the history of the emergence and
identification of BSE and variant CJD in the United Kingdom, and of the action
taken in response to it up to 20 March 1996; to reach conclusions on the
adequacy of that response, taking into account the state of knowledge at the
time; and to report on these matters to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food, the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretaries of State for
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
The BSE Inquiry Website
Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England & Wales, June 2000
Lord Burns chaired the Committee of Inquiry.
"....To inquire into the practical aspects of different types of
hunting with dogs and its impact on the rural economy, agriculture and pest
control, the social and cultural life of the countryside, the management and
conservation of wildlife, and animal welfare in particular areas of England and
Wales; the consequences for these issues of any ban on hunting with dogs; and
how any ban might be implemented."
Website of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with
Dogs in England & Wales
Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life: Reinforcing the Standards, January 2000
Lord Neill of Bladen chaired the Committee.
"....To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of
all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and
commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present
arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of
propriety in public life."
Text of the Sixth Report of the Committee on Standards in
Public Life: Reinforcing the Standards, January 2000
Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly, March 1999
Sir Stewart Sutherland (created Lord Sutherland in 2001) chaired the Royal
Commission.
"....to examine the short- and long-term options for a
sustainable system of funding of long-term care for elderly people, both in
their own homes and in other settings, and, within 12 months, to recommend how,
and in what circumstances, the cost of such care should be apportioned between
public funds and individuals, etc."
Text of the Royal Commission Report
Text of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, which
followed the Royal Commission Report
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry
Lord Saville of Newdigate is Chairman of the Inquiry.
"....that a Tribunal be established for inquiring into a
definite matter of urgent public importance, namely the events on Sunday 30
January 1972 which led to loss of life in connection with the procession in
Londonderry on that day, taking account of any new information relevant to
events on that day." - The Prime Minister's Statement to the House of Commons,
29 January 1998.
Website of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry