HL Deb 22 November 1976 vol 377 cc1753-8WA

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

"It was with great pleasure that My Husband and I visited Finland; the United States of America, where we welcomed the opportunity to join the people of the United States in the celebration of their bicentennial anniversary; Canada, where I opened the Olympic Games; and recently Luxembourg. We were very pleased to welcome President Geisel of Brazil and President Giscard d'Estaing of France on State Visits to this country.

"My Government welcomed the independence of Seychelles Lind their decision to join the Commonwealth.

"My Government have participated thoughout the year in international efforts to promote a more just world economic order.

"My Government have continued to make their contribution to the development of détente between East and West, and to work for the improvement of bilateral relations and economic cooperation with the Soviet Union and other countries of Eastern Europe. My Government have worked for force reductions in Central Europe and the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons. They have tabled a draft convention in Geneva on the prohibition of chemical weapons.

"My Government have continued their efforts to promote a negotiated settlement in Rhodesia based on acceptance of early transition to majority rule.

"My Armed Forces and the Royal Ulster Constabulary continue to perform with distinction their difficult and dangerous task in Northern Ireland. Steps have been taken to strengthen the role of the police and their effectiveness in maintaining the rule of law and to make the Parliamentary procedures for the government of Northern Ireland more effective. The Fair Employment Act has been passed, which promotes equality of opportunity in employment for people of different religious beliefs; a Northern Ireland Development Agency has been set up; and the law on industrial relations has been brought more closely into line with that of Great Britain.

"My Government have continued to co-operate with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on security, and reciprocal legislation in both countries has been brought into effect to deal with fugitive offenders.

"Members of the House of Commons

"I thank you for the provision which you have made for the honour and dignity of the Crown and for the public services.

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

"My Government continued to give priority to reducing inflation. Following the success of the £6 pay policy, they agreed with the Trades Union Congress a further round of voluntary pay restraint. The Price Code was amended to encourage the expansion of industrial investment and of employment. Grants were made for the setting up of more consumer advice centres and for providing consumers with information about prices.

"My Government have been deeply concerned about the high level of unemployment which we in common with most other countries have experienced; practical measures designed to alleviate the situation and to help meet the need for skilled manpower have been taken.

"Legislation was enacted to remove unsatisfactory features of the Industrial Relations Act 1971.

"My Government have sought to stimulate industrial regeneration, through the development of an industrial strategy with the close involvement of both sides of industry, through the work of the National Enterprise Board and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Development Agencies, and by initiating discussion of planning agreements with major companies.

"Legislation has been passed to reconstitute the National Dock Labour Board and to make further provision for regulating the allocation and performance of the work of cargo-handling.

"Legislation has been passed to meet the United Kingdom's obligations under the International Energy Programme and European Economic Community obligations on energy supply and use; to control energy supplies in a domestic energy emergency; and to regulate the use of energy for the purposes of conservation.

"The British National Oil Corporation has been established and has taken over the National Coal Board's Continental Shelf assets and purchased substantial interests in Burmah's North Sea holdings, including shares in the Ninian and Thistle oil fields. Participation agreements have been concluded with the Gulf, Conoco, Tricentrol and Ranger oil companies. Negotiations with other companies are proceeding.

"My Government have continued to foster the development of our offshore petroleum resources. Following a recent invitation. 53 applications have been received and are now being considered for further licences for the exploration and development of offshore oil and gas, in which majority State participation will be a precondition.

"Acts have been passed to improve the law relating to companies and to insolvency.

"My Government have published a White Paper and a Supplementary Statement setting out their detailed proposals for the establishment of Scottish and Welsh Assemblies.

"My Government have continued to work for improvements in the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy.

"Legislation for England and Wales has been passed to strengthen the legal safeguards for farm tenants and their families, and to end the tied cottage system in agriculture.

"My Ministers have placed special emphasis on areas of acute housing need in the public expenditure programme, and have continued to encourage new building for owner occupation.

"Legislation has been passed to facilitate the transfer of housing from New Town Development Corporations and the Commission for the New Towns to elected local authorities in England and Wales.

"An Act has been passed to give water authorities in England and Wales more effective powers to deal with drought.

"In pursuance of My Government's comprehensive policy for development land, legislation for a development land tax was enacted.

"Provision has been made for increases in social security benefits and war pensions; and new cash benefits have been introduced to help disabled people. Provision has also been made for the child benefit scheme to start on 4th April 1977.

"An Act has been passed to secure the progressive withdrawal from National Health Service hospitals of facilities for private medical and dental practice and to control development of large private hospitals. A Royal Commission has been established to consider the best use and management of the resources of the National Health Service in the interests of the patients and those who work in it.

"Legislation has been passed under which local education authorities in England and Wales may be required to submit proposals to abolish selection in secondary education.

"My Government have announced their intention to establish a Committee to enquire into the role and functioning of financial institutions in the United Kingdom, and have published proposals for strengthening and extending the system for supervision of banks and other deposit taking institutions. Acts were passed to transform the Trustee Savings Bank, to widen their banking services and to extend the facilities provided by the National Giro.

"The law on racial discrimination has been strengthened.

"An Act has been passed providing for the establishment of a Police Complaints Board to introduce an independent element into the procedure for handling complaints by members of the public against the police in England and Wales.

"A measure was passed to repeal and re-enact with amend rents the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974.

"An Act has been passed to improve the law relating to bail in England and Wales.

"Royal Commissions have been established to inquire into the provision of legal services. In the meantime, My Government have continued their support for the provision of legal services to those who need them most.

"Further progress has been made with the reform of the law and the improvement of the Statute Book by consolidation and the repeal of obsolete enactments.

"Acts have been passed to reform and improve the law of Scotland, including the law relating to liquor licensing, crofting tenure, freshwater fisheries, education and fatal accident enquiries.

"An Act has been passed to give greater impetus to the measures already being taken to stimulate the social and economic development of rural Wales.

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

"I pray that the blessings of Almighty God may attend you."

After which The LORD CEANCELLOR said:

"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the twenty-fourth day of November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day of this instant November."

House rose at twenty minutes past seven o'clock.

End of the Second Session of the Forty-seventh Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the twenty-fourth year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II.