HC Deb 25 November 1954 vol 533 cc1394-8
Mr. Speaker

I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Commands, as follows:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

I shall always remember the visits which with My dear Husband I paid to My Peoples in overseas countries of the Commonwealth and Empire. I and My Husband were deeply moved by the warmth of the welcome and the demonstrations of affection and loyalty we received from My Peoples everywhere.

I am grievously distressed at the sufferings caused by the recent hurricane in Ontario, and by the calamitous floods in India and Pakistan, and in the Kingdom of Nepal. In token of their sympathy My Government have sent aid to the afflicted.

My Government have maintained their firm support of the United Nations, and in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have helped to develop the combined strength of the West.

In concert with the Governments of France and the United States My Government have striven to reach agreement with the Soviet Government on the future of Germany and Austria.

My Government have sought for means of ending the occupation of Western Germany, of associating the German Federal Republic more closely with the West and of enabling Germany to contribute to the defence of the free world. It is a matter of profound satisfaction to Me that at the Conferences held recently in London and Paris agreement was reached on the methods of achieving these ends.

My Government took a leading part in the meeting of Foreign Ministers at Geneva where agreements were reached bringing to an end the fighting in Indo-China. They have been encouraged by the readiness with which My Government in Canada and the Government of India have accepted membership of the Commissions to supervise the Geneva settlement.

My Government also took part in the Manila Conference in company with My Governments in Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, and signed the South East Asia collective Defence Treaty negotiated there.

My Government have signed an Agreement with the Egyptian Government about the future of the Suez Canal Base. It is My sincere hope that this Agreement will mark the beginning of a new era of friendly co-operation with Egypt.

My Government welcome the settlement of the oil dispute with Persia and the resumption of the traditional relations between the two countries.

In concert with the Governments of the United States of America, Italy and Yugoslavia, My Government have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the future of the Free Territory of Trieste. My Forces and those of the United States have thus completed their task in that area.

My Government have supported the efforts of the United Nations to bring about peaceful relations between Israel and the Arab States, and to alleviate the lot of the Arab refugees from Palestine.

I was glad to receive a visit from Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden in a year which marked the three hundredth anniversary of the Treaty by which the interests of our two countries are so closely linked.

I have also been happy to welcome to My capital and country His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Ethiopia, and to have had this opportunity of strengthening the ties between our countries.

The Government of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federation has progressively assumed the powers awarded to it under its constitution. The Federal Assembly has been elected and opened its first session.

Important constitutional reforms have been introduced in the Gold Coast, Nigeria, the Gambia and Kenya.

In Malaya and Kenya My Forces, together with the local security forces, have vigorously pursued their campaign, which must be continued until complete success has been achieved.

Finance Ministers of the Commonwealth met in Sydney last January, and Ministers of the Member Governments of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation in London last July, to consolidate the progress made in our advance towards freer trade and currencies and to agree upon future steps towards that end.

A measure has been passed to strengthen My Reserve Forces. The National Service Scheme has been extended for a further five years, and a Bill has been passed to enable civil defence training to be given to certain National Service Reservists.

Members of the House of Commons

I thank you for the provision which you have made for the Public Services.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

Farmers and farm workers have striven to maintain and increase their output and have shown great determination and resourcefulness in getting in the harvest.

My Ministers have ended food rationing and a large number of controls. With the restoration of private trade guarantees of price and market for home food production have been continued in new forms, and certain import duties have been revised in the interest of the horticultural industry.

Acts have been passed to effect leasehold reform in England and Wales, and in Scotland.

Measures have been enacted which make further provision for the clearance and replacement of slums; for the improvement of structurally sound houses or their conversion into more convenient dwellings; and for allowing sufficient increase in the rental income of older houses to enable them to be maintained in good repair.

The number of houses built, both for letting and owner-occupation, has continued to increase.

Legislation has been passed to amend the financial provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts.

I have given My assent to Measures to provide benefit for certain further cases of disablement from industrial diseases, to improve and consolidate the law concerning the safety, health and welfare of mine and quarry workers, and to restrict night-working in the baking industry.

A Measure has been enacted to amend the law relating to Food and Drugs in England and Wales.

An Act has been passed providing for the dissolution of the Raw Cotton Commission.

Legislation has been passed establishing the Independent Television Authority to provide additional television broadcast programmes.

Measures have been enacted to increase the Exchequer Equalisation Grant payable to local authorities in Scotland and to authorise the Secretary of State to appoint a new Board with responsibility for the supply of electricity in southern Scotland.

I have given My assent to a Measure setting up the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.

Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read; after which the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's name and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the Thirtieth day of November, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-four, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Tuesday, the Thirtieth day of November, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-four.

End of the Third Session (opened 3rd November, 1953) of the Fortieth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.