CONTENTS

Preface iii

Updates to the following chapters are included in this update
1. The structure of the United Kingdom 1

Devolution to scotland and wales 1

Northern Ireland 1

2. The rule of law 2

An exception to non-retrospectivity? 2

2. The royal prerogative 3

Reform of the law of treasure trove 3

Reform of the criminal injuries compensation tariff 3

2. Central government 4

Ministerial responsibility 5

The public service committee report: ministerial accountability and responsibility 9

2. The electoral system 14

The 1997 general election 14

2. Introduction to the house of commons 16

Parlimentary sittings: 1995-96 session 16

Reform of parliamentary procedure 18

2. The legislative process 18

Reform of second reading procedure 18

Reform of scrutiny of deligated legislation 19

2. Scrutiny of the executive 19

The volume of parliamentary questions 19

Early day motions 19

The work of select committees in the 1995-96 session illustrated 20

Reform of parlimentary evidence rules 21

2. The house of lords 22

Scrutiny of legislation in the house of lords 23

Questions in the house of lords 23

Lords expenses 24

Proposed reform of the house of lords 24

2. Parlimentary privilege 24

Cash for questions: The downey report 25

Reform of members interests in the house of lords 26

The defamation act 1996 27

2. The European community and union 27

Penalties for failure to comply with rulings of the European Court 28

Clarification of the relationship between the EC and the ECHR 31

Revision of the maastricht treaty: Border controls 31

2. Civil liberties 33

The Asylum and immigration act 1996 33

Judicial review of deportation and extradition decisions 35

2. The european convention on human rights and fundamental freedoms 40

3. State security 46

4. Judicial review of administrative action 47

5. Commissioners for administration: Ombudsmen 50