§ And afterwards His Majesty's most gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of His Majesty's Command) as followeth:—
§ "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,"
§ "I have followed with constant interest the journeys of My Sons, the Prince of Wales and Prince George, to Canada, and also of My Son and Daughter-in-Law, the Duke and Duchess of York, to New Zealand, Australia and other parts of My Dominions. I rejoice in their return, and I have learned from them with deep satisfaction of the loyal and enthusiastic welcome which they invariably experienced throughout their journeys.
1282§ "It gave Me particular pleasure in the course of the summer to receive in My capital the President of the French Republic accompanied by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. The visit gave fresh evidence of the cordial relations so happily established between My Government and the Government of the Republic and afforded My people a welcome opportunity of demonstrating their affection for France in the persons of these two eminent statesmen.
§ "The visit of the King of Egypt was a source of gratification to Me and afforded an opportunity for a full exchange of views between the Egyptian Prime Minister and My Foreign Secretary. The frank and friendly nature of these conversations was in itself of good augury for the future and it is My hope, that their outcome may prove of lasting benefit to both countries.
§ "I have watched with profound sympathy and satisfaction the steady growth in influence of the League of Nations and the increasing part which it plays in composing international differences and preserving peace. The recent meeting of the Council at Geneva marked a further stage in this progress. My Government will continue to base its policy on loyal co-operation with the League.
§ "A Conference with representatives of the United States of America and Japan was held at Geneva, at which the delegates of My Government put forward proposals for the future limitation of armaments, which if accepted would have led to substantial reductions in naval strengths and costs.
§ "I regret that though much community of view was revealed, it was not possible to reach a general agreement. But in spite of this temporary failure, My Government have no intention of embarking upon an increase of their naval building programme, which is based upon a considered view of the defensive needs of My widespread Empire.
§ "A Conference, attended by Governors or other senior officials representing twenty-six Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories, 1283 assembled in May to exchange views on proposals of common interest to the Colonial Empire. This year has also been marked by important Inter-Imperial Conferences in London dealing with education and agricultural research. I am confident of the great value of such meetings, not only in the results achieved and the recommendations made, but also in bringing together, in a spirit of comradeship and mutual assistance, those who are engaged in similar work in widely separated parts of My Dominions.
§ "My Government having decided that the time is ripe for the initiation of the Inquiry into the working of the system of government in India for which the law provides, I have, with the concurrence of both your Houses, issued a Commission to seven of your number who will shortly embark upon their momentous task. I earnestly trust that their labours may be crowned with success, and that from their counsels may emerge a system of government which shall give contentment to the peoples of India and strengthen the bonds that unite My Empire.
§ "A new treaty between Myself and His Majesty the King of Iraq, to replace the existing treaties between us, has been signed by Our respective representatives. The text of this treaty has been laid before you.
§ "During the past year Agreements have been concluded with the Greek and Serb-Croat-Slovene Governments providing for the settlement of their respective war debts to this country. The terms of the Agreements have been presented to Parliament, and, as in previous cases, they give effect to the policy adopted by My Government to limit the claims on our Allies to such amounts as, together with our Reparation Receipts, will cover the obligations My Government has itself to meet in respect of War Debts. I note with satisfaction that funding Agreements have now been signed in respect of all the Allied War Debts to this country, except that of Russia.
§ "Members of the House of Commons,
§ "I thank you for the provision you you have made for the public service.
1284§ "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
§ "My Ministers continue to watch closely the state of employment which, though showing welcome signs of improvement in some parts of the country, still gives cause for anxiety in others. To facilitate the transfer of labour from industries with restricted opportunities for employment and in particular the coal-mining industry, a Board is to be appointed to recommend the executive action to be taken by the Departments concerned. My Ministers look with confidence for co-operation from all who can assist in this work both at home and overseas.
§ "A Bill has been passed placing the system of insurance against unemployment upon an improved permanent basis.
§ "Striking progress has been made during the past year in providing housing accommodation for the people and the number of new houses completed in England and Wales since the Armistice now exceeds one million.
§ "During the past year a greater number of new houses have been completed in Scotland than in any previous year. Substantial progress is also being made with the clearance of insanitary areas and the rehousing of displaced tenants.
§ "A Bill has been passed to declare and amend the law with regard to Trade Disputes and Trade Unions.
§ "I have given My assent to the Landlord and Tenant Bill, the provisions of which will secure to certain classes of tenants compensation for the loss of goodwill attaching to their premises and for unexhausted improvements, and will effect other desirable alterations in the law.
§ "A Bill has been passed which it is hoped will materially assist the development of the British Cinematograph Film Industry.
§ "A Bill has also been passed providing for the reorganisation of certain legal services and the amendment in certain respects of the law relating to Sheriff Court business in Scotland.
§ "It is My earnest prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon all your past and coming labours."
1285§ 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 His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's name and in obedience to His Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the seventh day of February, One thousand 1286 nine hundred and twenty-eight, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the seventh day of February, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.
§ End of the Third Session of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the eighteenth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George V.