HL Deb 03 August 1928 vol 71 cc1629-32

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,

"The visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Afghanistan in March last was an auspicious event in the history of Our two countries. To Me it will always be a pleasant memory, and I have received with much gratification messages from King Amanulla expressing His warm appreciation of the welcome accorded to Their Majesties. It is a matter of national congratulation that the visit has confirmed and strengthened the good relations existing between Afghanistan and the British Empire.

"My Government have been happy to accept the proposed Treaty for the renunciation of war in the form in which it was finally proposed to them by the Government of the United States. The proposed Treaty has similarly been accepted by My Governments in the Dominions and by the Government of India. It is My confident expectation that, when completed, it will constitute a new and important guarantee of the world's peace.

"Negotiations between My Government and the French, Italian and Spanish Governments for the revision of the Tangier Statute have just reached a successful conclusion. Under the terms of the instrument embodying the results of these negotiations, which I have caused to be laid before you, Italy becomes a contracting party to the Statute and Spain receives additional guarantees for the security of her zone.

"A Treaty between Myself and His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia, regulating the commercial relations between Our countries, and providing for the abrogation of existing Treaty provisions which limit the right of Persia to settle her customs tariff autonomously, has been signed by Our respective representatives. They have also recorded agreements on other important (locations in subsidiary notes. The texts of these documents will be laid before you in due course.

"In harmony with the Resolution of the Imperial Conference of 1926, recommending the further development of the present system of consultation between My Governments, arrangements have been completed for the appointment by My Government in Great Britain of a representative in Canada, with the title of High Commissioner. He will proceed to Ottawa in September.

"The imperial Wireless and Cables Conference has submitted a unanimous Report on the improvement of telegraphic communications between the several parts of My Empire. To the principles underlying the Report the Governments concerned are favourably disposed. I hope that with whole-hearted co-operation the telegraph systems which unite its various parts will be organised to the lasting benefit of My Empire.

"The Order in Council under the British Guiana Act, 1928, enabling Me to create a new Constitution for that Colony, has been passed.

"The Commission appointed to examine the Constitution of Ceylon has now presented its report, and its recommendations will receive the careful consideration of My Ministers.

"The Commissioners appointed to inquire into agriculture and rural economy in British India have submitted a unanimous report, containing many recommendations for the promotion of the welfare of the rural population. I am confident that these recommendations will receive sympathetic and fruitful consideration from the competent authorities in India.

"Members of the House of Commons,

"I thank you for the provision you have made for the public service.

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,

"The condition of our basic industries and the high level of unemployment continue to cause Me anxiety. My Ministers have prepared a scheme for relieving agriculture and other productive industries from the onerous burden of rates. The relief will affect not only the direct burden of rates but also the indirect burden thrown specially upon the basic industries by the present system of rating railways, docks and canals. This policy involves as a necessary consequence the enactment of long-desired reforms in local government and in the financial relations between the State and local authorities. My Ministers are hopeful that in respect of selected industrial and agricultural traffic the relief may come into force at the end of the present year. I trust that these comprehensive proposals will not only increase employment generally, but will also bring special relief to the areas which are most in need of it.

"I have given My assent to a measure assimilating the Local Government and Parliamentary Franchise of men and women. This will confer equal electoral rights on the two sexes.

"A Bill has been passed, based generally on the recommendations of My Commission on National Health Insurance, whereby the existing system will be materially simplified and improved.

"Steady progress has been made during the year in the provision of housing for the people, and the price of house construction has continued generally to fall.

"I have given My assent to a Measure for assisting the credit of persons engaged in agriculture in England and Wales, and My Government have prepared a scheme for effecting the same object in Scotland.

"A Bill has been passed to provide for the grading and marking of agricultural produce.

"It is a source of special satisfaction to Me that it has been found possible, subject to suitable safeguards, to secure permanently the present rates of disability pension for the Great War against any reduction owing to a fall in the cost of living. This will remove an element of uncertainty which disturbs the minds of those who are, unhappily, still suffering from the effects of their war service.

"The rapid growth of road traffic has created new problems which demand investigation. I have appointed a Commission which will, I hope, result in measures for the wise development of all available means of transport.

"Bills have also been passed to re-organise certain Scottish Departments, and for setting up a Commission to deal with educational endowments in Scotland.

"It is my earnest prayer that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon all your past and coming labours."

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 sixth day of November, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the sixth day of November, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.

End of the Fourth Session of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the nineteenth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George V.