§ I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the public services.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ My Government have maintained the policies necessary to reduce inflation and sustain economic recovery. Inflation remains low and the output of the nation continues to increase. Steps have been taken to increase incentives and to improve the climate for enterprise, the creation of wealth, and adaptability and efficiency in industry and commerce. Measures have been taken to help the unemployed into jobs, to launch a comprehensive foundation training scheme for young people starting working life, and to improve vocational education and adult training.
§ In order to promote economic efficiency and growth, my Government have continued their policies of exposing state-owned businesses to competition and returning them to the private sector where appropriate. Legislation has been passed to end British Telecom's exclusive privilege of running telecommunications systems, to establish arrangements for the licensing and regulation of telecommunications systems, and to prepare the way for the sale of British Telecom's shares. An Act has been passed to enable the introduction of private finance into the Royal Ordnance Factories. The disposal of oil assets of the British Gas Corporation has been successfully completed.
§ Legislation has been passed to provide for reforms in the tax system, especially for companies, in the interest of greater economic efficiency, to encourage the further development of United Kingdom oil and gas resources by abolishing royalties for certain new fields, and to provide a framework for the development of cable programme services and direct broadcasting by satellite. An Act has been passed to ensure continued funding for the Cooperative Development Agency and to introduce a new scheme of Regional Development grants.
§ Legislation has been passed to give trade union members greater democratic control over their unions.
§ An Act has been passed to protect ratepayers by limiting rate increases by high-spending local authorities, and to provide reserve powers for general limitation of rates. Legislation has been passed making interim arrangements for the Greater London Council and the metropolitan county councils pending a decision by Parliament on the obolition of those authorities.
§ Acts have been passed to extend the right of public sector tenants to buy their homes, to reform the system of building control in England and Wales, and to assist purchasers of public sector houses which have proved to be defective. Legislation has been passed to make more farming tenancies available in England and Wales, and to make other improvements in the law relating to agricultural tenancies.
1392§ An Act has been passed transferring control of London Transport from the Greater London Council to the Government.
§ Legislation has been passed to modernise and clarify the law of England and Wales governing the investigation of crime and evidence in criminal proceedings, to strengthen the ties between the police and the community there and to extend powers l'o prevent acts of terrorism and increase safeguards for people subject to such powers.
§ An Act has been passed to introduce important new safeguards for individuals about whom information is held on computers.
§ Legislation has been passed to improve family law and its administration in England and Wales, to clarify the liability of occupiers of premises to persons other than their visitors and to amend the law concerning limitation of actions.
§ My Government has continued to work for higher standards in education, announcing proposals on the school curriculum, examinations and increasing the influence of parents over their children's schooling. Legislation has been passed to enable grants to be paid to local education authorities in England and Wales for improvements and innovations.
§ Legislation has been passed to replace noncontributory invalidity pensions with a severe disablement allowance. My Government has also embarked on a series of fundamental reviews of the social security system, seeking to ensure that this large programme operates effectively and in ways suited to present day needs.
§ My Government has taken further action to ensure that patients receive the best value for money spent on the National Health Service.
§ My Government has encouraged Northern Ireland's elected representatives to seek arrangements, acceptable across the community, whereby responsibilities can be returned to local administration. A high priority has been given to the maintenance of law and order and support for the Northern Ireland economy.
§ For Scotland, measures have been passed to extend the rights of public sector tenants, and to improve the legislation governing rating and valuation, promotion of tourism overseas, roads and inshore fisheries.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
§
Thereafter a Commission for proroguing 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 which has been now read we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday the sixth day of November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the sixth day of November next.
§ End of the First Session (opened on 15 June 1983) of the Forty-Ninth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Thirty-Third Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.