§ Mr. SpeakerI have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the Lord Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Journal of the House. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
§ The Gracious Speech was as follows:
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ My Government has taken action in support of major programmes of reform in the priority areas of crime, health and transport.
§ My Government is committed to reforming the criminal justice system, to deliver justice for all and to safeguard the interests of victims, witnesses and communities.
§ An Act has been passed to provide the police and other agencies with effective tools to tackle anti-social behaviour.
§ Legislation has been passed to reform sentencing arrangements and to modernise criminal procedures to protect the public and reduce re-offending.
§ An Act has also been passed reforming the courts system. This will allow Magistrates' Courts and the Crown Court to work more effectively together under a single organisation and will reform the system for enforcing fines and other noncustodial penalties.
§ Legislation has also been passed modernising the laws on sexual offences, strengthening the framework of penalties for sex offenders to protect the public.
§ In addition, legislation has been passed improving international co-operation in tackling serious crime, including terrorism and modernising the arrangements for international mutual assistance to prosecute criminals.
§ My Government continues to modernise the delivery of healthcare based on the founding principles of the National Health Service. Legislation has been passed to introduce incentives to ensure that hospital discharges are not delayed and that those needing community care are fully supported.
§ Legislation has been passed to devolve power and resources to frontline staff giving greater patient choice and more freedom to successful hospitals while increasing their accountability to local communities and introducing independent health and social cure inspectorates.
§ Legislation has been passed to improve the delivery of local services through better financial management and greater freedom for councils.
§ An Act has been passed to improve railway and transport safety, establishing a Rail Accident Investigation Body with effective evidence-gathering powers, reforming the body responsible for regulating the railways and introducing alcohol testing on board maritime vessels and in civil aviation.
§ Draft legislation has been, brought forward on a number of matters including civil contingencies, housing, nuclear liabilities, corruption and mental incapacity.
1039§ Members of the House of Commons
§ I thank you for the provision you have made far the work and dignity of the Crown and far the public service.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ My Government continues to work closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to secure the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. Legislation has been passed which establishes an Independent Monitoring Commission to report on the ongoing commitments connected with the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. An Act has also been passed amending legislation on policing in Northern Ireland.
§ My Government maintains its commitment to devolution in Scotland and Wales. Legislation has been passed reforming the provision of health services in Wales.
§ Legislation has been passed providing for the holding of referendums in any English region except London on the establishment of elected regional assemblies and other preparations for the implementation of elected regional government.
§ In addition, legislation has been passed to create a new regulatory framework for the communications sector to promote competition and investment, establishing a new regulatory body, implementing European Union telecoms directives, and reforming rules on media ownership.
§ An Act has been passed modernising and streamlining the law governing premises selling alcohol, providing public entertainment and late night refreshment, including important measures for tackling anti-social behaviour.
§ An Act has been passed allowing the Secretary of State to specify the pay, terms and conditions of the Fire Service and to direct the Fire Service on its use of facilities and assets.
§ Legislation has been passed improving water management and conservation, establishing an independent Consumer Council for Water, reforming the regulatory system for water and promoting competition in the water industry.
§ An Act has also been passed providing for the development of a strategy for reducing the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill and help ensure the UK meets its climate change commitments.
§ Other important measures have been enacted.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the state visit of His Excellency the President of Russia in June. We are pleased to receive the state visit of His Excellency the President of the United States this week.
§ My Government has played an active role in combating the global threat from terrorism and preventing the development or use of weapons of mass destruction by hostile states. My Government has worked to help publish and implement a Road Map for peace in the Middle East, and to support the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
§ My Government took part in international action to ensure Iraq's compliance with its obligations under UN resolutions. Iraq is now on its way to a better future, free and at peace with its neighbours. Political and economic reconstruction are proceeding apace and for the first time in Iraq's history it has government institutions which reflect the diversity of its people and uphold human rights and the rule of law.
1040§ My Government helped secure the lifting of UN sanctions against Libya following the latter's compliance with the demands of the Security Council, and has supported international negotiations with Iran and North Korea,
§ My Government was active in ensuring the decision of the European Council last December to issue formal invitations to ten countries to join the European Union in May 2004. Legislation has been enacted to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Accession Treaty with the new member states.
§ Through the Convention on the Future of Europe and the subsequent Inter-Governmental Conference, my Government has participated actively in efforts to agree a new Constitutional Treaty for the European Union to equip it for the challenges of enlargement.
§ My Government published its assessment of the Five Economic Tests on whether to recommend entry into the single European currency.
§ My Government helped achieve agreement at the NATO Summit last November to invite seven countries to join the Alliance, and has continued to support these countries in their preparations for membership.
§ My Government was heavily involved in the continuing development of the European Security and Defence Policy, including the conclusion of agreements between the EU and NATO far the use of NATO assets and capabilities for European Security and Defence Policy military operations. My Government supported, and British personnel participated in, the first three European Security and Defence Policy operations: a police mission in Bosnia and military crisis management operations in Macedonia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
§ The Millennium Development Goals remained at the forefront of my Government's commitment to global poverty reduction. My Government has worked with partners in the UN, the G8 and other bodies to make progress towards these goals, particularly by ensuring support for developing countries' own plans such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
§ My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
§
A Commission was also read for proroguing this present Parliament, and the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of this instant November.
§ End of the Second Session (opened on 13 November 2002) of the Fifty-Third Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Fifty-Second Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.