HC Deb 29 May 1970 vol 801 cc2131-6
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:

My Husband and I and The Princess Anne had the great pleasure of visiting New Zealand and Australia and of attending the Cook Bicentenary Celebrations in both countries. We were also very pleased to visit Fiji and Tonga. The Prince of Wales was able to accompany us to New Zealand and on part of our tour to Australia.

My Government have maintained their application for membership of the European Communities, and nego- tiations to this end are likely to open shortly.

My Ministers have made a full contribution to the North Atlantic Alliance, which is the foundation of our security, and have sought to develop better understanding between East and West.

My Government have continued to play an active part in the disarmament negotiations and have followed up with vigour their proposals for a complete ban on biological methods of warfare. They welcome the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

My Government have urgently pursued their efforts to promote through the United Nations a settlement to the dispute between the Arab States and Israel, and have continued their efforts to help bring peace to the countries of Indo-China.

My Government welcomed the end of hostilities in Nigeria, and have made a substantial contribution to post-war relief and rehabilitation.

My Government have welcomed the condemnation by the Security Council of the latest racialist policies of the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia. They have worked to make existing economic sanctions more effective.

My Government welcomed the peaceful settlement, through the good offices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, of the long-standing difference with the Imperial Iranian Government over Bahrain.

New Constitutions have been introduced in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and the Seychelles. Tonga will cease to be a Protected State on 4th June and My Government look forward to welcoming her as a Commonwealth partner.

In this 25th Anniversary Year of the United Nations My Government is taking a leading part in promoting its work.

My Government have announced substantial increases in overseas aid for the next three years.

My Ministers have continued their efforts to promote peace and harmony in Northern Ireland. Acts have been passed to establish the Ulster Defence Regiment and to enable police forces in Great Britain to be more closely associated with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

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:

My Government have pursued successful policies to strengthen the economy and the balance of payments so as to provide the basis for sustained and accelerating growth in conditions of high employment. A large surplus in the balance of payments has been achieved, and external indebtedness has been greatly reduced.

My Government have continued to work with other Governments to improve the international monetary system.

A statement has been presented to you on My Government's future plans for public expenditure.

The pay structure of My Armed Forces has been radically revised to give proper recognition to their qualifications and responsibilities.

An Act has been passed providing for equal pay for men and women.

My Government have proposed major reforms to modernise industrial relations.

Legislation was introduced to establish a Commission for Industry and Manpower to take over and develop the work of the National Board for Prices and Incomes and the Monopolies Commission.

A Bill was introduced to make certain reforms relating to industrial safety and health and an inquiry into all aspects of the subject has been set up.

Acts have been passed to promote greater safety and improved living conditions for those serving in the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets.

An Act has been passed to assist the film industry.

Regional economic development has been further encouraged, especially in the development areas, and legislation has been passed to assist intermediate areas and to encourage the speedy clearance of derelict land.

Bills were introduced to reorganise the electricity supply industry and the gas industry, and to enable the Gas Council to search for, market and refine petroleum.

A Bill was introduced to continue the Government's powers to assist the coal industry.

Legislation was brought forward to raise the limit on guarantees under the Shipbuilding Credit Scheme.

A Bill was introduced to transfer the nuclear fuel and radio-chemical business of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to Government-controlled companies.

A Bill to reorganise the ports was presented to you.

My Government have published plans for the future strategy for interurban roads in England.

My Government have continued to encourage the selective expansion of home agriculture. An Act has been passed introducing new arrangements for the marketing of eggs and rationalising the grants payable to assist fixed capital investment in agriculture.

My Government have continued to take steps to restrain increases in food prices and to promote the safety of food for the consumer.

My Government have brought forward a measure to provide strong, comprehensive and flexible powers to control the availability of dangerous drugs and to check their misuse.

A Bill was presented to advance further the reorganisation of secondary education on comprehensive lines. Progress has been made in replacing old schools, increasing the numbers of qualified teachers and reducing oversized classes.

The expansion of higher education has continued, and student places provided have far exceeded the forecasts of the Robbins Committee on Higher Education.

My Government have announced further proposals to intensify the fight against the pollution of the environment, and measures were introduced to reduce aircraft noise and to discourage pollution of the sea by oil. I have appointed a Commission on Environmental Pollution.

My Government have put forward proposals to reform local government in England and Wales.

An Act has been passed to limit increases in rents of local authority and private tenants. Assistance to home buyers under the option mortgage scheme has been increased, and other measures have been taken to provide more and better homes. Orders have been made to raise the income limits which govern the entitlement to rate rebate.

Proposals for controlling labour-only sub-contracting in the construction industry were laid before you.

An Act has been passed to reorganise local authority personal social services. New proposals have been made for the future administration of the National Health Service in England and in Wales.

Improvements in existing health and welfare services have continued, with special emphasis on hospitals for the mentally handicapped and other long-stay patients.

Proposals have been put before you for new schemes of national superannuation and social insurance based on earnings-related contributions.

My Government have taken steps to make further improvements in the levels of benefits provided under the Supplementary Benefits Scheme.

Legislation has been passed to reform the feudal system in Scotland and the Scottish law of heritable conveyancing.

An Act has been passed to modernise the law relating to the construction of highways in Scotland.

An Act has been passed to reconstitute the High Court with a Family Division to extend the power to dispense with the holding of assizes and to improve the arrangements for the recovery of civil debts.

Further advances have been made in the reform of the law. Legislation has been passed to extend the powers of the courts to make financial provision in matrimonial disputes and to give effect to various proposals of the Law Commission.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:

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

Then a Commission for Proroguing the Parliament was read; after which the Lord High 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 second day of June next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to the second day of June, one thousand nine hundred and seventy.

End of the Fourth Session (opened on 28th October, 1969) of the Forty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Nineteenth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.