§ 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
§ "In the session which lies before you My Ministers will strive unremittingly to promote the well-being of My People and the peace of the world.
§ "My Government are convinced that a strong and united Commonwealth can take a leading part in the councils of the nations. They look forward keenly to the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers to be held in London early next year.
§ "My Ministers will promote the development of the Colonial Empire, and for this purpose will prolong the Colonial Development and 'Welfare Acts and increase the funds available under them. They will also continue to give full support to the Colombo Plan.
2§ "My Government re-affirm their belief that the United Nations Organisation is essential to the furtherance of international concord, and will give it their wholehearted support. They will at the same time co-operate fully in the work of the North Atlantic Alliance, which they regard as vital to the preservation of peace.
§ "My Government attach the highest importance to maintaining and strengthening close and friendly relations with the United States of America. It is upon this intimate association that world survival depends.
§ "My Government will continue their efforts to promote security and prosperity in South East Asia and to uphold the Indo-China settlement concluded at Geneva.
§ "My Government will persevere in their efforts to conclude an Austrian State Treaty.
§ "In consultation with other Governments concerned, My Government will seek to give early effect to the agreements reached at the recent Conferences in London and Paris, whereby the occupation of Western Germany will end, the German Federal Republic and Italy will accede to the Brussels Treaty, and the German Federal Republic will join the North Atlantic Alliance. My Government trust that these policies, steadfastly pursued in co-operation with other Governments concerned, will so develop the unity and strength of the free nations that 3 the essential basis will be established on which an understanding with the Soviet Union may be sought.
§ "My Forces will continue to make their full contribution to world stability. Their strength on the mainland of Europe will be maintained in accordance with the public undertakings recently given by My Government; and at home a strategic reserve will be developed and measures taken to meet possible new forms of warfare.
§ "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
§ "My Ministers will continue to encourage the expansion of industry and the full employment of My People.
§ "In company with other Governments of the Commonwealth, My Government are taking part in the present review of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. In this and other ways My Government will seek to maintain the advance towards a freer system of trade and payments, and to extend the markets for our exports.
§ "My Ministers will be vigilant in preserving the soundness of the public finances, the control of expenditure and the curb on inflation.
§ "On these sure foundations of national prosperity My Ministers will find increasing scope for pursuing social policies directed to the happiness and well-being of all My People.
§ "My Government are very sensible of the difficulties of many of My People who are old age or disablement pensioners. The first five-yearly review of the National Insurance Scheme enables My Ministers to revise its provisions in the light of all the information available about their effects on both this and future generations. They will introduce early legislation to authorise increases in retirement pensions and the other benefits provided for the victims of industrial accidents and diseases, for widows, the sick and the unemployed. There will be corresponding increases in pensions for those disabled in war and for war widows.
4§ "My Ministers will ensure the continuance of a high rate of house-building, for letting and for purchase, and are now able to resume an active campaign to clear the slums.
§ "Legislation will be laid before you to deal with certain problems connected with requisitioned dwellings and other matters relating to housing.
§ "My Ministers are greatly concerned at the grievous toll in death and injury that is taken by road accidents, at the inadequacy of our highway system for the ever-increasing volume of traffic, and at the damage done to our national economy by traffic congestion and delays. My Ministers have accordingly decided to embark upon an expanded programme of road construction and improvement, designed both to increase safety on the roads and to promote the freer flow of traffic. The Road Traffic Acts will also be amended to further these aims.
§ "Legislation will be proposed to authorise an increase in the borrowing powers of the British Transport Commission.
§ "To provide better education for children and young people, My Ministers will continue to encourage the building and improvement of schools and technical colleges. Special attention will be paid to the provision of secondary schools, village halls and playing fields in the rural areas. In consultation with the teachers and local authorities, My Ministers will prepare a new scheme for ensuring a sound financial basis for teachers' pensions.
§ "My Government will stimulate the expansion of facilities for higher technological education, so that advances in scientific research may be matched by increased industrial efficiency and production.
§ "My Ministers recognise that the transition from control to freedom has brought problems for all engaged in farming and kindred industries. They will not relax their efforts to promote the efficient production and marketing of food. These will enable stability for the industry to be combined with the flexibility of a free market so that the consumer may enjoy plentiful supplies, and the producer a fair return.
5§ "My Ministers will continue to foster the interests of the fishing industry, and will introduce a Bill to provide further assistance to the herring industry.
§ "A Bill will be laid before you to enable My Government to carry out their obligations under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement, whilst bringing to an end the present system of State trading in sugar.
§ "In order to relieve pressure of business in My courts of law measures will be laid before you to increase the jurisdiction of the county courts in England and Wales and to set up new criminal courts at Liverpool and Manchester.
§ "My Ministers will give close attention to the development of health services in factories.
§ "Legislation will be proposed to enable My Government to accept the Convention adopted by the International Conference on Pollution of the Sea by Oil.
§ "Legislation will be introduced to amend and consolidate the law relating to crofting and to provide for the appointment of a Crofters' Commission.
§ "The Report of the Royal Commission on Scottish Affairs has received the close attention of My Ministers and steps are being taken to carry out its recommendations.
§ "Other measures will be laid before you in due course.
§ "I pray that the blessing of Almighty God will rest upon your counsels."
§ Thereafter, Her Majesty withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
6§ House resumed at three of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
§ Prayers
§ The Lord Colgrain—Sat first in Parliament after the death of his father.