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Queen's Speech
QUEEN'S SPEECH
30 OCTOBER 1968
Mr. Speaker: I have to acquaint the House that this House has this day attended Her Majesty in the House of Peers, and Her Majesty was pleased to make a Most Gracious Speech from the Throne to both Houses of Parliament, of which I have, for greater accuracy, obtained a copy, which is as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of
Commons:
My Husband and I look forward with pleasure to the State Visit of the Presi- dent of the Republic of Italy and to our own visit to Brazil and Chile.
My Government will continue to play an active part in the efforts of the United Nations to ensure peace and to assist the advancement of the developing world.
My Government will continue to work through the United Nations for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. They will take every opportunity open to them to help the two sides achieve a negotiated settlement of the Vietnam conflict.
I look forward to welcoming to London in January the Heads of Gov- ernment of other member countries of the Commonwealth.
My Government intend to ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. They will continue to work actively for further progress on measures of arms control and dis- armament in both the nuclear and non- nuclear fields. To this end they will vigorously pursue the proposals they have put forward to advance the negotiations.
My Government will maintain their application for membership of the European Communities and will pro- mote other measures of co-operation in Europe in keeping with this.
My Government will continue to sup- port Britain's alliances for collective defence and will play an active part in the North Atlantic Alliance as an essential factor for European security. The development of My Government's relations with the countries of Eastern Europe which took part in the invasion of Czechoslovakia has necessarily been
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set back, but it remains their aim to work for genuine East-West under- standing.
My Government will continue to take the necessary steps to withdraw British forces from Malaysia, Singapore and the Persian Gulf by the end of 1971. Furthermore, in consultation with the Governments concerned, My Ministers will maintain their efforts to promote conditions favourable to peace and security in the areas concerned.
My Government will continue to seek to bring about a return to constitutional rule in Rhodesia in accordance with the multi-racial principles approved by Parliament.
Members of the House of Commons :
Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of
Commons:
My Government will press forward their policies for strengthening the economy so as to achieve a continuing and substantial balance of payments surplus. This will enable us to meet our international obligations, rebuild the reserves, develop industry and saje- guard employment.
My Government will work closely with other Governments to maintain the smooth working of the international monetary system. They look forward to the early entry into force of the Special Drawing Rights Scheme.
My Government will develop policies to encourage a better distribution of resources in industry and employment and to make fuller use of resources in the Regions.
Legislation will be brought before you to convert the Post Office from a Department of State to a public cor- poration.
Legislation will be introduced to integrate transport in London under local government control; and to estab- lish a central system of vehicle registra- tion and licensing.
Legislation will be introduced to help the development of tourism in Great Britain.
A Bill will be introduced to effect the change to a decimal currency.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.