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Queen's Speech

20 NOVEMBER 1980

stable East-West relations and will con- tinue to work for effective measures of arms control.

My Government support the efforts of the European Community to work towards a just, lasting and comprehen sive settlement of the Arab Israel dis- pute. They view with grave concern the present conflict between Iran and Iraq and will continue to work with other Governments for an end to hostilities. They will continue also to support the United States Government in their efforts to find an early and peaceful solution to the prolonged illegal deten- tion of the United States' diplomatic hostages in Iran.

Negotiations to find an internationally recognised settlement in Namibia in accordance with the United Nations' plan will continue.

My Government reaffirm their strong commitment to the European Commu- nity. They look forward to the accession of Greece on 1 January 1981 and to the prospect of further enlargement. They will play a full part in discussions to improve the common agricultural policy and restructure the Community Budget. They will continue to work for agreement on a revised common fisher- ies policy. Legislation will be introduced to amend the law about the Boundary Commissions' reviews of the European Parliament constituencies.

My Government confirm their com- mitment to the Commonwealth and the United Nations, and will continue to play a constructive role in their activi- ties.

My Government recognise the serious economic problems that affect both developed and developing countries and will continue to work with other countries and international organisa- tions in secking to alleviate them.

Members of the House of Commons:

Estimates for the public service will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of

Commons:

The need to bring down the rate of inflation and create conditions for a sustainable growth of output and em-

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Queen's Speech .ployment, remains the prime concern of my Government. To that end they will take all steps necessary to main- tain firm monetary and fiscal policies.

Plans for public expenditure will take account of the need to restrict the claims of the public sector on the nation's resources. Special attention will continue to be given to_the_en- couragement of new businesses and to measures to permit small firms to expand and prosper.

My Government, recognising the hardships and worries of those suffer- will proceed ing unemployment, urgently with an expanded programme of employment and training measures for the unemployed, particularly the young. Proposals will be put before you for improving industrial training in the longer term and for supplying those skills which will be needed when industry moves out of the cur- rent recession.

Further proposals will be brought forward to reduce the scope of nation- alised and State industry, and to in- crease_competition. My Government will take steps to permit wider par- ticipation in the fortunes of the British National Oil Corporation. Measures will also be laid before you to replace public involvement in transport_indus- tries with further opportunities for pri- vate investment; and to reorganise the Post Office, to encourage better per formance in postal services and to in- troduce greater competition in iele communications.

Legislation will also be introduced to amend the financial arrangements for the National Enterprise Board, the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies, and the Development Board for Rural Wales; and to provide for a capital reconstruction of the British Steel Corporation.

Measures will be brought forward on company law and insurance.

My Government will continue to en- sure that the nation's energy resources are appropriately developed and effi- ciently used. Legislation will be intro- duced to assist the conservation of energy and to impose a levy on the British Gas Corporation for specified gas purchases.