TNAG-0115-FCO40-151-Departmental-briefs-for-Commonwealth-Prime-Minister-s-and-ot-1969 — Page 24

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Prorogation--

25 OCTOBER 1968

New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore in Kuala Lumpur, where the problems arising from that decision were con- sidered.

My Government have continued to play their full part in the North Atlantic Alliance. They expressed their condemnation of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union and some of its allies in violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

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The announced reductions in the size of the Services will mean the retire- ment of some officers and men and lead to the disappearance of some famous regiments. I am deeply grate- ful to all those concerned for their distinguished and selfless service. The need for recruits for the Forces, how- ever, remains as pressing as ever, and My Government will not relax their efforts in this field.

Members of the House of Commons

I thank you for the provision which you have made for the public services.

My Government worked for and welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Re- public, the Somali Republic, Sudan, Guinea, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo My Lords and Members of the House (Brazzaville), Iraq and Tanzania.

My Government have continued to seek to bring about a return to con- stitutional rule in Rhodesia in accord- ance with the multi-racial principles approved by Parliament. To this end they have co-operated with other mem- bers of the United Nations in giving effect to the Security Council Resolu tion of 29th May. Proposals for a settlement were communicated to Mr. Smith during the recent discussions at Gibraltar, and his reply is now being studied.

Three of our overseas territories be- came independent in the last 12 months-Mauritius, Swaziland, and Aden (as part of the People's Republic of Southern Yemen). Both Mauritius and Swaziland remained in the Com- monwealth. A revised Constitution was introduced in Seychelles.

Last November, at the invitation of My Government in Malta, My Hus- band and I visited Malta and renewed our happy memories of My People in Malta and Gozo. In April of this year My Government in the United Kingdom welcomed the successful settlement, to which they made an im- portant contribution, of the Malta Dockyard ownership problem.

My Government welcome the im- provement in relations between the parties to the Cyprus dispute.

Despite economic difficulties, My Government have sustained their pro- gramme of aid to less developed coun- tries.

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of Commons

Following the devaluation of sterling in November 1967, My Government have taken the measures necessary to ensure a progressive improvement in the balance of payments and to main- tain the strength of sterling at its new parity.

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My Government have taken active part in international discussions about reform of the international monetary system. Agreement has been reached with members of the sterling area and members of the Bank for International Settlements arrangements to consolidate the stability of sterling.

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A further Act has been passed to provide support for the productivity, prices and incomes policy.

The growth of industry in the de- velopment areas has been encouraged and special measures have been taken to reduce the impact of colliery closures in these areas.

An Act has been passed to provide for a better integration of road and rail transport and to promote higher standards in the road transport in- dustry. The Act will also enable improvements to be made in traffic management and the financial and other arrangements for the railways and nationalised inland waterways.

An Act has been passed to promote industrial expansion by enabling My Government to assist projects likely to benefit the economy.

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