Projects

Protection of Official Data

Project status: Complete

Read the full report here. Read a summary of the report here. The problem In the last twenty years, new communications and data technology has changed the nature of espionage and leaks. For example, hostile states can conduct cyber-attacks on the UK through multiple servers across multiple countries. At the same time, the potential impact … Read more >

Public Services Ombudsmen

Project status: Complete

Our report makes a series of recommendations aimed at improving access to the public services ombudsmen, ensuring that they have the freedom to continue their valuable work and improving their independence and accountability. Foremost amongst our recommendations are: The appointment of the Parliamentary Commissioner on the nomination of an individual by Parliament. Parliament, and the … Read more >

Publication of Local Authority Reports

Project status: Complete

In this project, we considered whether changes were needed in the law relating to inquiries undertaken by local authorities. In February 2000 Sir Ronald Waterhouse published the results of the inquiry he chaired into the abuse of children in council homes in North Wales. He was concerned there might be circumstances where local authorities might feel … Read more >

Railways (Abortive Projects)

In our consultation paper we propose the repeal of more than 200 obsolete Acts relating to 19th century railway projects that failed to materialise. The usual reason for their failure was lack of finance.  Many railway projects collapsed in the banking crisis of 1866, a crisis partly caused by ambitious speculative investment in railway building. … Read more >

Railways (Rates and Charges)

In our consultation paper we propose the repeal of more than 40 obsolete Acts relating to the charges levied on railway freight traffic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The railways were operated by private companies and these Acts were an attempt by Government to regulate the charges for transporting railway freight.  These … Read more >

Reform of the Communications Offences

Project status: Complete

Download the report here. Download a summary of the report here. A Welsh translation of the report will be available soon. The problem The revolution in online communications has offered extraordinary new opportunities to communicate with one another and on an unprecedented scale. However, those opportunities also present increased scope for harm: the physical boundaries … Read more >