§ The QUEEN, being seated on the Throne, and attended by Her Officers of State (the Lords being in their robes), commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, through the Lord Great Chamberlain, to let the Commons know, "It is Her Majesty's pleasure they attend Her immediately in this House."
§ Who being come, with their Speaker:
§ Her Majesty was pleased to speak as follows:
§ "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ "I look forward eagerly to the visits which I am about to pay with My dear Husband to My peoples in overseas countries of the Commonwealth and Empire.
§ "My Government will continue to regard the relaxation of international tension and the preservation of peace as prime objects of their policy. To this end they are persisting in their efforts to bring about an early meeting between the Soviet Union and the three Western Powers.
§ "My Government will continue to take their full part in all efforts by the United Nations to promote international co-operation. The North Atlantic Alliance is fundamental to My Government's policy and they will do their utmost to keep it vital and strong.
2§ "My Government are resolved to work constantly in harmony with the Government of the United States of America. They will also continue to co-operate with their partners in Western Europe to promote European unity and economic well-being. They hope to see the early establishment of the European Defence Community and will afford it all possible support.
§ "My Government will continue to work for a settlement of the problem of German unity, in conjunction with the Governments of France and the United States and in consultation with the German Federal Government. They will also maintain their efforts for the conclusion of an Austrian State Treaty.
§ "Though the fighting has ceased in Korea My Forces have still a part to play there under the United Nations Command. My Government are co-operating in efforts to bring about a political conference on Korea.
§ "My Government hope for a renewal of those friendly relations which have been traditional between this country and Persia and for an early resumption of normal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
§ "My Government attach the utmost importance to continued consultation with their partners in the Commonwealth and will take part in the Conference of Commonwealth Finance Ministers which will be held in Australia in January.
§ "My Ministers will continue to work for the progress and well-being of the 3 peoples of My Colonial territories and protectorates. They will seek to ensure that measures of social and political advancement and of economic development are promoted in the interests of all races.
§ "My Government will ensure that My Forces continue to make their full contribution to world peace and stability.
§ "A measure will be introduced to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of My Reserve Forces and a proposal to continue the present National Service Scheme for a further period will also be presented to you.
§ "Members of the House of Commons
§ "The Estimates for Public Services will be laid before you in due course.
§ "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
§ "It will be the constant aim of My Ministers to strengthen the national economy and thereby to safeguard the high standards of the social services and the stability of employment. To this end they will strive for a further improvement in the balance of overseas payments by encouraging the expansion of exports and of services earning income from abroad.
§ "My Ministers will continue to encourage the building of houses and schools. They will also stimulate a vigorous resumption of slum clearance. Legislation will be introduced to facilitate the repair and improvement of existing houses both by local authorities and private owners.
§ "Bills will be laid before you to amend the financial provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts and the existing arrangements for payment of equalisation grant to local authorities in Scotland.
§ "Legislation will be introduced to effect leasehold reform in England and Wales and in Scotland.
§ "My Ministers will continue to encourage the agricultural industry to increase food production and improve the quality and efficiency of home output. My Ministers are consulting farmers and the trades concerned about new methods of providing price guarantees and of marketing which 4 will be required as rationing and allocation cease to be necessary.
§ "My Government will also continue to pay close attention to the welfare of the fishing industry.
§ "Proposals will be laid before you for the transfer of responsibility for atomic energy from the Ministry of Supply to a statutory corporation.
§ "A measure will be introduced to bring the salaries of the judges of My Superior Courts of Law in the United Kingdom more into keeping with the dignity and responsibilities of their office.
§ "Legislation will be proposed to revise, consolidate and extend the law on the safety, health and welfare of miners and quarrymen, to provide benefit for certain further cases of disablement from industrial diseases, to amend and consolidate the law relating to food and drugs and to restrict night working in the baking industry.
§ "My Ministers are attentively examining the Road Traffic Acts with a view to introducing further legislation to improve road safety and promote the orderly use of the roads.
§ "Bills will be introduced to amend the constitution of the National Gallery and the Tate Gallery, to provide for a new governing body for the National Museum of Antiquities in Scotland and to prolong the powers of the National Film Finance Corporation.
§ "Among other measures which you will be invited to pass will be Bills to remove the restrictions at present imposed upon private persons wishing to trade in raw cotton and wind up the Raw Cotton Commission and to reorganise electricity supply in Scotland.
§ "My Ministers will lay before you their proposals for carrying out their policy for television development.
§ "My Ministers will give further consideration to the question of reform of the House of Lords.
§ "I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will rest upon your counsels."
§ Thereafter, Her Majesty withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
5§ House resumed at three of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.