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Knowledge Centre

Commonwealth Parliamentary Research Service

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Research Service (CPRS) provides authoritative comparative information on Commonwealth Parliaments.  The Reference Service is uniquely placed to be an authoritative information source relevant to the needs of CPA Branches and parliamentary officials.

CPRS conducts or commissions research primarily of our membership, however the CPA will consider undertaking research for partner agencies on a case by case basis.

Examples of recent research enquiries:

  • Parliamentary Workplace Equality & Diversity Networks 
  • Maternity leave provisions for Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth
  • Number of MPs under the age of 30 across the Commonwealth
  • Codes of Conduct used in UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
  • COVID-19 activities undertaken by Parliaments in the Commonwealth

Use of research:

The CPA Headquarters Secretariat may reuse the data and information gathered as part of any CPRS enquiry for future use. This use might be for public consumption, such as articles, blogs, toolkits and other communication outputs, as well as for case studies for use in programmes and other training materials. The CPA Headquarters Secretariat will utilise data collected for monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting purposes.


Inquiry Form

For CPA Branches and/or Members wishing to receive research support, please complete the inquiry form

 


Scroll down to discover some of our publications and research reports that have resulted from CPRS enquiries!

Limitations on types of research conducted:

The CPA Headquarters Secretariat will not undertake research of any individuals personal information and any personal information obtained as part of research request indirectly will be disposed of in line with CPA data protection policies.
The CPA Headquarters Secretariat will not undertake research with any third parties and will not commission research which has a financial cost for the Association.

CPRS Outcomes - Publications and Reports

CPRS Report: Casework Services for Parliaments

The CPA Headquarters Secretariat was approached by the CPA Scotland Branch about an enquiry on the level of support that Legislatures offer to Members, and their staff in the production and delivery of casework/casework services to the public. This CPRS Research Report was published in February 2025.

Parliamentary Workplace Equality & Diversity Networks: Case Studies from the Commonwealth

This case study compilation introduces Workplace Equality & Diversity Networks (WEDNs) and provides examples of their use in Commonwealth Parliaments.

Members Remuneration Report 2020-2021

This CPA report outlines comparative information on the salaries, benefits and allowances of Members of Parliament throughout the Commonwealth in 2020-2021 and provides an update on previous reports completed in 2004-2005 and 2000-2001.

 


Inquiry Form

For CPA Branches and/or Members wishing to receive research support, please complete the inquiry form. Alternatively email your enquiry to hq.sec@cpahq.org.

 


 

Meet the CPA HQ Team

Contact us if you'd like to know more about our research
Avni Kondhia
Programmes Manager
CPA Headquarters Secretariat programmes@cpahq.org