Lords Sitting of 19 November 1998

Preamble
The House met at three of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Blackburn.

Aspirin Products: Sale Limits
Lord Jacobs Lord Jacobs asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the operation of the new regulations which limit the sale of aspirin and other similar products to 32 tablets at one time without the express agreement of a pharmacist.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Health (Baroness Hayman): My Lords, the new regulations which took effect on 16th September this year restrict the sale of aspirin and paracetamol products to packs of 16 tablets or capsules for general sale and to packs of up to 32 where sale or supply is under the supervision of a pharmacist. When the pharmacist judges it appropriate, for patients with long-term or recurrent conditions up to 100 tablets can be provided. The operation of the new regulations will be monitored and kept under review.
Lord Jacobs: My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer, but is she aware that 1 million people or more a day are taking 75-milligram aspirins—that is, quarter-strength—to prevent heart disease and strokes? Will the Minister consider ending the regulations in respect of those tablets because the present situation causes people to visit the pharmacy 12 times a year? In addition, they are obliged to pay 50 per cent. more than before.
Finally, is the Minister also aware that it is possible to go into supermarkets and purchase 100 paracetamol or 100 aspirin tablets which are outside the regulations? Is she able to do something about that?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, the noble Lord has asked a number of questions. The pack-size of aspirin and paracetamol products is limited. Those on sale in supermarkets have to be in packs of "only up to 16" and I know that some supermarkets are very careful about the number of packs that can be sold. That is in answer to the last point that the noble Lord raised.
On the noble Lord's first point about the public health benefits of low-dose aspirin, we certainly recognise those. We also recognise the difficulties caused for some patients by low-dose aspirin being limited in terms of numbers. However, I should point out that the limit is 100 when the pharmacist sees the patient as having a specific need.
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The issue about the 75-milligram aspirin is one that we take seriously. Obviously, we were addressing the higher-strength tablets and I shall ask the Medicines Control Agency to look at that specific area to see whether any change may be appropriate.
Lord Walton of Detchant: My Lords, although it is a minor inconvenience for those, like myself, who take aspirin each morning for the reasons that the noble Lord has mentioned, does not the Minister agree that in the case of paracetamol one of the principal reasons for reducing the pack size is that there has been an unfortunate tendency in recent years for people to buy large numbers of paracetamol tablets for suicide attempts? Does the Minister agree that that seems to override the restrictions, or to make valid the restrictions that have been imposed?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for those comments and questions. It is important not to lose sight of the reasons behind the decision and the regulations. Paracetamol can do very grave damage. We estimate that there are between 100 and 150 deaths a year from paracetamol poisoning through overdose. It is the commonest reason for liver transplants in this country. With young people in particular it is often the cause of an impulsive rather than a well-considered bid.
Lord Renton: My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that far more people are advised to take an aspirin a day than to take any paracetamol? Is it not an unnecessary addition to the cost of the National Health Service that those people should have to see their doctor about once a month in order to renew their prescriptions?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, I recognise that it is possible that there will be additional costs on the National Health Service and that there is some inconvenience to patients. However, as I pointed out, pharmacists are able to prescribe up to 100 paracetamol. We have to balance the issues very carefully. They include the question of the overwhelming National Health Service expenditure as well as the tragic personal and health consequences for many people through paracetamol overdose and, indeed, aspirin overdose. If aspirin were to become the drug of choice rather than paracetamol, overdoses would be even more difficult to treat.
Lord Stallard: My Lords, we accept the reasons that the Minister has given for the regulations, but is she aware of the ease with which anyone who wishes to take an overdose can obtain extra tablets by moving from one chemist to another? You can do that in any high street. You can get 100 tablets in four packets—or rather, 128 in four packets. Is there not an element of increased profit for retailers in the regulations?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, I know that there have been concerns about price increases for such products which perhaps cannot be justified by the simple fact of different packaging being necessary for the

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smaller packs. I appreciate what my noble friend says about the ability to buy several packs. However, perhaps I may repeat that the evidence about suicide shows clearly that many attempts, particularly by young people, are impulsive attempts, using products in the medicine cupboard at home. One study in Oxford pointed out that 63 per cent. of those who used paracetamol did so because it was readily available and that 41 per cent. of the patients involved had considered overdosing seriously for less than one hour.
Lord Monson: My Lords, is the Minister aware that the new regulations raise the minimum retail price of a single tablet by between 67 and 105 per cent., which is equivalent to perhaps £5 per year for somebody who takes a tablet a day? As I have seen medical evidence which demonstrates that as few as 15 paracetamol tablets can kill, is not this an example of the nanny state run mad, and is it not almost as silly as the beef-on-the-bone ban?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, I do not think that trying to prevent the deaths of between 100 and 150 people a year is the "nanny state run mad". It is responsible public health policy.
Pricing is an issue of concern. There are variations in the pricing and I would very much recommend people to shop around, because not all suppliers have increased the price of their tablets in the same way.
Lord Stewartby: My Lords, as one who takes a junior aspirin every morning in the hope of avoiding a heart attack as a result of the excitement of the proceedings in your Lordships' House, may I ask the Minister whether the Government have any figures for the number of people who set about trying to do themselves harm by taking junior aspirin?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, I do not think that many people set about trying to do themselves harm by taking junior aspirin. I tried to give the House some figures about the number of people who succeed in doing themselves harm by taking overdoses of paracetamol and aspirin. I recognise the point that has been made about junior aspirin. This is a less simple concept than the noble Lord might think because applications to prevent heart attacks include higher strength aspirins as well as junior aspirins. As I said, this is an area in which there are legitimate concerns and I shall look into the matter.

Primary Care Group Boards: Pharmacists
3.14 p.m.
Lord Quirk Lord Quirk asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that primary care group boards are so structured as to make proper use of the skills and knowledge of pharmacists.
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, primary care groups will need to work with a wide range of professionals in
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order to take advantage of their skills and expertise for the benefit of patients. The membership and size of a PCG board has to be manageable and workable. We value highly the skills and knowledge of pharmacists. We made it clear in guidance issued in the summer that they are among the professional groups which PCGs will have the power to co-opt on to a board.
Lord Quirk: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that Answer and I note carefully what she has said. Does she not agree that the 12,000 or so pharmacies up and down the country provide our most direct access to healthcare; that they are the first port of call in time of sickness, especially for the poorest in our society; and that in the process they reduce the pressure on GPs' surgeries? Is the Minister aware that graduates of the English schools of pharmacy—from the biggest in Bradford to the oldest in London—are very keen to show that their skills can contribute significantly both operationally and strategically to primary care groups, as they already do with the analogous structures in Wales and in Scotland?
Baroness Hayman: Yes, my Lords. I echo some of the noble Lord's remarks about the contribution that the skills of, particularly, community pharmacies can make to people's health and their importance in terms of providing a very local and accessible service. That is why we made it clear in our guidance in the summer that they should be involved as far as possible. That is because a great deal of the work of primary care groups will depend on good prescribing advice and support from professionals such as pharmacists.
Lord Clement-Jones: My Lords, is the Minister aware that many local pharmacies are considering closing as a result of workload, competition from supermarkets and particularly cash-flow problems? Do the Government plan to revise the payment system for local pharmacies as part of their forthcoming community pharmacy strategy? Will the Minister confirm whether the Crown report on prescribing will be published at the same time as that community pharmacy strategy?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, the noble Lord is correct that we are currently looking at our community pharmacy strategy. That should build on the contribution that pharmacists can make. We have received a great many suggestions and comments on that. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State had a useful round-table meeting to discuss it. We now need to consider the contributions that have been made and to publish the strategy in due course. I do not think that I can make a commitment that the Crown report will be published at the same time. It might well be in advance of it.
Baroness Masham of Ilton: My Lords, does not the Minister think it rather unbalanced to have between four and seven doctors on such groups but not one pharmacist or dentist? As a member of a former family

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health services authority, does not the Minister agree that those bodies were far more balanced and democratic?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, there is a difficulty here in terms of getting the balance right. The skills and expertise of many professional groups will be needed if primary care groups are to function effectively. That is why we have included powers of co-option—to balance against the need also to have a manageable and workable core membership. In specific areas, primary care groups have the ability to set up executive sub-groups, which it might well be appropriate for a co-opted member such as a pharmacist to lead.
Baroness Uddin: My Lords, can my noble friend the Minister tell the House how it is intended to monitor the structure of primary care group boards to ensure that they reflect the equal opportunities commitment that we have made for the health service?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, the health service is committed to effective implementation of equal opportunities. I believe that it has done a great deal in terms of appointments made to trust boards and health authorities during the time of this Government. The primary care group will be a sub-committee of the health authority and I expect it to monitor equal opportunities among the membership, as it does other areas of its work.
Earl Howe: My Lords, why is it that pharmacists are to be included automatically in primary care group boards in Wales and Scotland but not in England?
Baroness Hayman: My Lords, the noble Earl will be aware from the many debates in this House that it is possible to hold different views about the appropriate structures for different parts of the United Kingdom. That is very much the outcome of the legislation that has been debated in this Session. As far as concerns England, as promised in the White Paper, the Government believe that doctors and nurses should be very much in the driving seat and that other appropriate professionals, be they occupational therapists, physiotherapists, midwives or pharmacists, should be brought in to make their contribution as and when appropriate.

Offshore Wind Electricity Generation
3.21 p.m.
Lord Campbell of Croy Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
What encouragement or assistance they are giving to the development of offshore wind generation of electricity.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): My Lords, two offshore wind projects comprising 13.5 megawatts have already been awarded
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contracts under the general wind bands in the fourth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Renewables Order. In addition, the Government are working with the British wind industry and others to see how the UK's offshore wind resource can best be developed in order to contribute significantly to the UK's electricity supply from renewables. To this end the Government have issued a consultation document on possible arrangements for incorporating the development of offshore wind energy into a specific offshore wind band in the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Order process.
Lord Campbell of Croy: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his reply. In view of the Government's commitment to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by certain dates, might this renewable source of energy, taking full account of the needs of navigation, be preferable to wind farms on land, which give rise to many objections? There is plenty of wind around the coasts of Britain, especially Scotland.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I do not comment on where wind is most prevalent in the British Isles. A 10 per cent. contribution to UK electricity supplies from renewals by the year 2010 will require the use of four main technologies: onshore wind, offshore wind, waste such as landfill gas and energy crops. Therefore, as we begin to harness offshore wind, we will need a significant contribution from onshore wind at the same time.
Lord Hooson: My Lords, if the Government are anxious to have a large offshore wind farm, have they considered undertaking a feasibility study to establish one on the Dogger Bank?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, at the moment a review is looking at all of the possible sources of offshore wind production. I am sure that that review will also consider the point just raised by the noble Lord.
Lord Dormand of Easington: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that while the wind power that has been mentioned is welcome, the most important factor in electricity generation is the state of the British coal industry? Can the Minister say whether further help is to be given to the industry, particularly as productivity has increased out of all recognition and also because it is the cheapest form of energy?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, it is true that renewable energy still represents a very small proportion of total electricity supply. In total it is about 2 per cent., half of which comes from large-scale hydro. Coal still represents 37 per cent. The health of the coal industry

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remains very important. On a marginal basis it is true that coal is often the cheapest but on a long-term basis gas is cheaper.
The Earl of Lauderdale: My Lords, can the Minister say whether the possibility of energy from wave power has been eliminated altogether?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, we must also look to the future. While it is a very small proportion at this stage, in terms of security of supply it is sensible to look to the long term.
Lord Williams of Elvel: My Lords, I declare an interest as vice-president of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales. Can my noble friend confirm that any onshore wind energy arrangements will be subject to the most rigorous planning permission and will not obscure the delightful hills of rural Wales?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, we monitor the planning applications. This reveals that, broadly speaking, 50 per cent. of wind farm applications are granted and about 50 per cent. are refused. There is no evidence that local planning authorities either disregard advice that is given by PPG.22 or fall prey to concerted lobbying groups with a particular interest in the countryside.
Earl Attlee: My Lords, does the Minister agree that in order to meet only three-quarters of the 10 per cent. renewables target, 9,000 wind generators will be required—rather more than the 2,000 suggested by Mr. Meacher in Buenos Aires?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, it is true that to provide a substantial amount of wind energy will require a large number of turbines. I do not have the exact figures with me, and I shall certainly write to the noble Earl when I have them.
Lord Ezra: My Lords, can the noble Lord give an indication of the current cost of producing electricity from offshore wind energy? I have heard estimates of between 5 and 6p. per kilowatt hour to be compared with 2.5p. from conventional sources. If that or anything like it is correct, how do the Government propose to close the gap?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, it is extremely interesting to look at the pattern of prices over successive NFFO rounds of agreement. It has come down from 7.98p. at NFFO -1 to 2.88p. These are large wind band contract prices. One can see that it is beginning to become economical.
Lord Howie of Troon: My Lords, I should like to help my noble friend on the number of windmills that are required. Does he realise that in order to replicate the output of, say, Pembroke power station in rural
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Wales (2,000 megawatts) more than 4,000 windmills, each 100 metres in height at 100-metre centres over an area of five square miles will be required?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, as I am becoming increasingly aware in this House, there is no type of energy generation that does not have its critics.
Lord St. John of Fawsley: My Lords, does the Minister agree that whether these installations are offshore or onshore design is crucial so that they become worthy additions to the landscape or seascape and not eyesores? Will the noble Lord undertake to consult the Royal Fine Art Commission, which has considerable experience in these matters?
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, the department has issued good practice guidance for wind energy developers to cover these issues. I shall look at that. If we believe that it is productive to consult the Royal Fine Art Commission we shall certainly do so.

EU/South Africa Trade Agreement
3.30 p.m.
Lord St. John of Bletso Lord St. John of Bletso asked Her Majesty's Government:
How they are using their influence with the South African Government and the European Commission to conclude the European Union/South African Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this autumn, as envisaged at the Cardiff European Council.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the Government want to see a successful conclusion to the European Union/South Africa Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement by the end of this year. Talks are continuing at official level between the European Commission and South Africa this week. Indeed, they are taking place at this very moment. We believe that the basis of a deal on trade is now on the table. Alec Erwin, the South African Trade and Industry Minister, said in London on Monday last that he believed that if European Union member states could back the outline deal that he and Commissioner Pinheiro discussed in October agreement was in sight. We are closely involved in the negotiations to help resolve the remaining difficulties.
Lord St. John of Bletso: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that encouraging Answer. Is he aware that the negotiations between the South African Government and the European Commission have taken more than four years, raising concerns of EU protectionism in the agricultural sector? At a time of high and growing unemployment in South Africa, with a labour intensive agricultural sector, can the Government put pressure on the European Commission in more onerous terms to stop putting further obstacles in the way before such an agreement can be reached?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, to be precise, the present negotiations are taking place on a

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mandate from the General Affairs Council to the Commission in March 1996. But the noble Lord is right. We are extremely keen to see that the negotiations are carried to a rapid and successful conclusion. We very much hope that it will be possible for decisions to be made at the General Affairs Council on 7th December.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: My Lords, can the Minister say what bilateral discussions are taking place? If not, will he take better action with some of our southern partners who seem to have taken the most ridiculous nitpicking attitude towards a free trade agreement, which is absolutely essential if the United Kingdom and the European Union are to retain their credibility as a free trading area?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the amount of lobbying that has taken place, even during the Austrian presidency, is amazing. The lobbying by this country has involved the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and junior Ministers. They have lobbied the President of the European Commission, the Austrian presidency and the individual member states which are concerned. In addition to those political contacts, there have been incessant official contacts.
Lord Hughes of Woodside: My Lords, does the Minister agree that the package put by Mr. Pinheiro in October was acceptable to the South African Government, who were prepared to sign on the dotted line, since when different elements within the Commission have tried to unpick that agreement? Does he recall the ringing tones of support for South Africa following its establishment of a democratic government? There were ringing cries of friendship. Will the Minister accept that the Commission's behaviour reminds one of an old Scottish saying, "Touch my pocket and friendship's out"?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, all of us are disappointed that since South Africa has escaped from apartheid we have not been able to achieve a free trade agreement. My noble friend is right, as I indicated in my Answer, that the outline agreement which was on the table between Commissioner Pinheiro and South Africa would have been acceptable to South Africa. However, the Commission is still operating on a mandate from the General Affairs Council and member states still have to be involved.
Lord Gisborough: My Lords, does the Minister agree that it would be utterly anomalous for all those countries of Europe which pressed so hard for a new South Africa not now to put their money where their mouths are?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, yes. We have always said that we want to see these negotiations successfully concluded and we want the objections of individual member states to particular parts of the agreement to be overcome. However, the difficulty is that if a free trade agreement is to be acceptable to the
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World Trade Organisation it must cover approximately 90 per cent. of all goods and services. That is very difficult to achieve.
Lord Redesdale: My Lords, does the Minister agree that the terms which have been set out in the free trade agreement could be likely to lead to high-scale unemployment in the agricultural sector, which is the one area still open to unskilled labour in South Africa?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, no, I do not agree. The terms set out will cover agriculture, in particular fruit, which is the most important South African export. I accept that the noble Lord is right in linking agriculture in South Africa with employment.
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie: My Lords, on this last day of the Session, perhaps I may say to the Minister that I am sure the Government are genuine in their desire to see agreement reached with South Africa. However, does he not appreciate that unless the Government go to Brussels and confront the Commission head on with the problem that is at the centre of the issue, there is still a residual agricultural protectionism? Unless that is resolved, frankly, it does not matter how keen the Government are to settle the matter and achieve an agreement; that will not be the case.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, the Government are doing exactly what the noble and learned Lord described. We are at this very moment in Brussels engaged in negotiations with the European Commission in order to try to overcome the difficulties he describes. We are totally on the same side on this matter.
Lord Grenfell: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that it is particularly important to put pressure on Portugal and Spain to stop holding these negotiations hostage with their ridiculous vendetta against South Africa for calling its fortified wines "sherry" and "port"? That has been happening for more than 200 years. As a matter of fact, all the wines and spirits from South Africa account for only 0.5 per cent. of the European Union's imports from South Africa.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, sherry and port represent a widespread problem which my noble friend will recognise. For example, champagne producers have succeeded in stopping anyone else anywhere in the world calling anything produced by the méthode champenoise champagne. The difficulty extends to sherry and port, too. Australia has agreed to stop producing "sherry" and "port", but with a long derogation period. That may be the solution for sherry and port from South Africa.
Lord Carter: My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure until 3.45 p.m.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
[The Sitting was suspended from 3.37 to 3.45 p.m.]

Royal Commission
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): My Lords, it not being convenient for Her Majesty to be personally present here this day, she has been pleased to cause a Commission under the Great Seal to be prepared for proroguing this present Parliament.
Then, the Lords Commissioners (being the Lord Chancellor, the Viscount Cranborne, the Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank, the Baroness Jay of Paddington, and the Lord Chalfont) being present and the Commons being at the Bar, the Lord Chancellor said: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, Her Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present here at this time, has been pleased to a cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby given Her Royal Assent to divers Acts which have been agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament, the Titles whereof are particularly mentioned, and by the said Commission has commanded us to declare and notify Her Royal Assent to the said several Acts, in the presence of you the Lords and Commons assembled for that purpose; and has also assigned to us and other Lords directed full power and authority in Her Majesty's name to prorogue this present Parliament. Which Commission you will now hear read.
A Commission for Royal Assent and Prorogation was read.
The Lord Chancellor: My Lords, in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, and by virtue of the Commission which has been now read, We do declare and notify to you, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in Parliament assembled, that Her Majesty has given Her Royal Assent to the several Acts in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same in the usual Form and Words.

Royal Assent
The following Acts received the Royal Assent:

Statute Law Repeals Act,

Waste Minimisation Act,

Regional Development Agencies Act,

Scotland Act,

Northern Ireland Act,

Registration of Political Parties Act.

Prorogation: Her Majesty's Speech
Her Majesty's most gracious Speech was then delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command) as follows:
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of his Excellency the President of Brazil in December 1997 and of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan in May this year. We remember with great pleasure our visit to Canada in June and our State Visits to Pakistan and
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India in October 1997 and to Brunei and Malaysia in September of this year. Likewise I remember my visit to France and Belgium on 11th November.
"My Government promised to govern for the benefit of the whole nation.
"In Northern Ireland, my Government have continued to work towards peace, stability and reconciliation. Their efforts to promote a comprehensive political settlement contributed to the agreement reached in the multi-party talks. They have moved speedily to implement that agreement, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the people of Northern Ireland in a referendum. They have continued to foster the improvement of economic and social conditions through inward investment and other means. New measures for tackling terrorism have been introduced following the Omagh bombing.
"The education of young people has been my Government's top priority. Legislation has been enacted to help raise standards in schools and phase out the assisted places scheme. The money saved has been used to cut class sizes. An Act has also been passed to reform teacher training, create a General Teaching Council and introduce new student support arrangements. Green Papers have been published setting out plans to help those with special educational needs and promote lifelong learning.
"The process of modernising the National Health Service has begun. The largest ever capital programme is under way following the passage of the NHS (Private Finance) Act. My Government have appointed the first ever Minister for Public Health and outlined their strategy for reducing inequalities in health. Steps have also been taken to ensure that health and local authorities work together effectively, particularly to improve the services for children in care.
"My Government have pursued economic policies aimed at delivering stable levels of economic growth, employment and opportunities for all.
"To that end, measures have been taken to put the economy firmly on course for steady growth with low inflation. Legislation has been enacted to give the Bank of England operational responsibility for setting interest rates, in order to deliver price stability and support the Government's overall economic policy within a framework of enhanced accountability.
"Tough fiscal rules have been introduced and firm action taken to meet them, by reducing public borrowing. The new fiscal policy framework including a code for fiscal stability, underpinned by legislation, will ensure that decisions on the public finances promote Britain's long-term economic goals.
"My Government promised to attack youth and long-term unemployment. They have already begun to expand employment opportunities and to make work pay. Reform of the tax and benefit systems to ensure that people are better off in work has begun, and the New Deal programmes are already extending new work opportunities to people who had been excluded from the labour market.
"An Act has been passed which begins the process of modernising the social security system, particularly in the areas of decision-making appeals and national insurance contributions. And proposals for further welfare reform have been presented to Parliament to promote work for those who are able to work and security for those who cannot.
"My Government have worked with business to promote sustainable growth. A wide range of measures has been introduced to encourage investment in industry, skills and new technologies and to increase productivity. To encourage entrepreneurship and to help create successful and profitable businesses, an Act to reform the framework for competition for business and industry has been enacted, and the structure of corporation taxes has been reformed.
"My Government are committed to fairness at work. Legislation has been passed which will lead to the introduction of a national minimum wage.
"My Government have completed a comprehensive review of public expenditure, reallocating spending to match priorities and eliminate waste and inefficiency. Within firm three-year limits, additional resources have been provided for education, health and transport; and the new Investing in Britain Fund will double net public investment over the Parliament, providing for the renewal, reform and modernisation of Britain's infrastructure.
"A White Paper has been published setting out plans for an integrated transport policy in England and Wales, aimed at providing better transport services, and reducing congestion and pollution from transport.
"Legislation was enacted to strengthen the local authority capital finance system.
"Measures have been put forward to combat crime. Legislation has been passed to provide for radical reform of the youth justice system, local partnerships to cut crime and disorder and measures to reduce offending. Legislation had also been enacted to prohibit the private possession of all handguns.
"To ensure that as many people as possible have access to the benefits of the National Lottery, an Act has been passed to extend the scope of lottery distribution to encompass health, education and the environment. It also included measures to improve regulation.
"Decentralisation is essential to my Government's vision of a modern nation. An Act has been passed to enable people in Scotland and Wales to vote on proposals for a devolved Scottish Parliament and the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales. These have been approved in referendums in Scotland and Wales and Acts have been passed to implement them. My Government have also taken a first step towards decentralising decision-taking to the English regions.
"A White Paper has been published setting out a 10-year programme for the reform and renewal of local governance in England and an Act has been
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passed which enabled the people of London to vote in a referendum on my Government's proposals for an elected mayor and assembly for London. These proposals were approved in a referendum on 7th May, and a Bill is to be introduced to implement them.
"An Act has been passed to establish regional development agencies in England to bring a regional focus to the economic development and regeneration of the English regions.
"My Government are committed to open and transparent government. Legislation has been passed to strengthen the data protection controls over the use of personal information about individuals and an Act has been passed to give full effect in the United Kingdom law to the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.
"Members of the House of Commons,
"I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"My Government have taken a leading role in the European Union. They negotiated and signed the Treaty of Amsterdam which included provisions enabling the UK to opt into the social chapter. The United Kingdom has now ratified the treaty. They took part in initial negotiations on the European Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals which included reform of the common agricultural policy.
"During the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union, efforts were made to promote employment and to improve competitiveness. Negotiations on enlargement were opened and good progress was made on key Presidency priorities for co-operation in the European Union, including the fight against drugs and crime, an effective external policy, economic reform and an agreement to a code of conduct on arms export. My Government oversaw the historic decision confirming that eleven member states met the conditions for joining the single currency, as well as the establishment of the European Central Bank.
"My Government have allocated additional resources to tackle global poverty and to promote sustainable development. They are implementing the policies set out in the White Paper on International Development.
"In May this year, the G8 Summit in Birmingham agreed measures to promote employability at home and the development of poorer countries abroad, help the environment and tackle international crime. They also successfully hosted an Asia-Europe meeting in April 1998 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh in October 1997.
"Vigorous action has been taken to protect the environment, and against terrorism, drugs, money laundering and organised crime. My Government played a leading part in securing agreement at the

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Kyoto Conference on Climate Change to commitments to binding reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
"The United Kingdom played a full part in the negotiations which led to the agreement in July to establish the International Criminal Court.
"My Government put human rights at the centre of foreign policy and published the first Annual Report on Human Rights. They ratified the two Additional Protocols to the Geneva convention on the Protections of Victims of War, adopted an abolitionist stance on the death penalty, and took steps to prevent the export of torture equipment. They hosted a conference on Nazi gold, and helped set up a relief fund for victims of Nazi persecution.
"As evidence of their commitment to international peace and security, my Government passed legislation enabling the United Kingdom to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines. They will continue to urge all those who have not done so to adhere to these treaties.
"Progress has also been made to reform and strengthen the United Nations.
"My Government have worked to modernise our defence capability so that it matches the changing strategic setting. The Strategic Defence Review—the
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most far-reaching reform of our armed forces since the war—reassessed our security interests and defence needs and provided the Armed Forces and all those who work in defence with a clear long-term vision. Arrangements for strong and modern defence based on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation have been maintained and my Government played a major role in the decisions taken at NATO's Madrid Summit and in the steps taken to strengthen NATO's relationship with Russia, and they have notified the UK acceptance of the accession to the Alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons,
"I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you".
After which the Lord Chancellor said:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has been now read We do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to the 24th day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the 24th day of this instant November.
Parliament was prorogued at eighteen minutes past four o'clock.