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The House met at twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock.
PRAYERS.
1 Message to attend Her Majesty,—A Message from Her Majesty was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
The Queen commands this Honourable House to attend Her Majesty immediately, in the House of Peers.
Accordingly, the Speaker, with the House, went up to attend Her Majesty:—And having returned;
The Speaker resumed the Chair at half-past Two o'clock.
2 Members take the Oath or make Affirmation,—The following Members took and subscribed the Oath, or made and subscribed the Affirmation required by law:
Right honourable John Selwyn Gummer
| for Suffolk Coastal |
| North Norfolk |
Rosemary Elizabeth Cooper
| West Lancashire |
| Midlothian |
| North Devon |
| Rhondda |
| Llanelli |
| Mansfield |
| Sherwood |
David Arthur Stephen Tredinnick
| Bosworth |
| Leigh |
| Birmingham, Hall Green |
| Nottingham South |
3 Speaker's Statement,—The Speaker made a Statement to the House, pursuant to the Resolution of 3rd November 2004.
4 Metropolitan Police,—Ordered, That the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis do take care that the passages through the streets leading to this House be kept free and open and that no obstruction be permitted to hinder the passage of Members to and from this House during the sitting of Parliament, or to hinder Members by any means in the pursuit of their Parliamentary duties in the Parliamentary Estate; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do communicate this Order to the Commissioner.
5 Outlawries,—A Bill for the more effectual preventing Clandestine Outlawries was read the first time and ordered to be read a second time.
6 Chairman of Ways and Means and First and Second Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means,—Ordered, That Sir Alan Haselhurst be Chairman of Ways and Means, Sylvia Heal be First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Sir Michael Lord be Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.—(Mr Geoffrey Hoon.)
7 Queen's Speech,—The Speaker reported Her Majesty's Speech and directed that it be entered in the Journal, as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government will continue to pursue economic policies which entrench stability and promote long-term growth and prosperity.
To this end, my Government will continue to secure low inflation and sound public finances.
My Government will build on its programme of reform and accelerate modernisation of the public services to promote opportunity and fairness. My Government will bring forward legislation in the key areas of public service delivery: education; health; welfare; and crime.
Education remains my Government's main priority. My Government will further reform the education system to improve quality and choice in the provision of schooling, and build on the progress already made to improve educational standards for all.
Legislation will be brought forward to offer greater support for working families by extending maternity benefits and improving the provision of child care.
My Government will continue to reform the National Health Service in a way that maintains its founding principles. Measures will be brought forward to introduce more choice and diversity in healthcare provision and to continue to improve the quality of health services and hospital hygiene. Legislation to restrict smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces will also be introduced.
A Bill will be brought forward to support patients who wish to seek redress should they experience problems with their healthcare.
My Government will continue its reform of the welfare state, in order to reduce poverty further, offer greater equality, and match rights with responsibilities.
My Government will introduce legislation to reform support for housing costs.
A Bill will be introduced to establish benefits which will facilitate a return to employment, while offering long-term support for those unable to work.
My Government will begin long-term reform to provide sustainable income for those in retirement.
A Bill will be introduced to improve protection of consumers by bringing home reversion plans within the scope of the Financial Services Authority.
My Government is committed to creating safe and secure communities, and fostering a culture of respect.
Legislation will be taken forward to introduce an identity cards scheme.
A Bill will be introduced to give police and local communities new powers to tackle knives, guns and alcohol-related violence.
Further legislation will be introduced to tighten the immigration and asylum system in a way that is fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the country.
Proposals will be brought forward to continue the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
My Government will bring forward legislation to reduce re-offending by improving the management of offenders.
Legislation will be introduced to reform the criminal defence service, making better use of legal aid resources.
My Government believes that the welfare of the child is paramount. A Bill will be introduced to establish a barring and vetting scheme, and other measures to provide better protection for children and vulnerable adults.
Legislation will be introduced to safeguard the welfare of children in circumstances of parental separation and to improve the process of inter-country adoption.
My Government will continue with legislation to provide a new framework for the provision of compulsory treatment of those with mental disorders.
Legislation will be introduced to modernise charity law, to develop a vibrant, diverse and independent charitable sector.
My Government will take forward proposals to introduce an offence of corporate manslaughter.
My Government will bring forward measures to tackle those who incite religious hatred.
Legislation will be introduced to combat discrimination and to establish the Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
My Government is committed to achieving sustainable development and supporting rural services.
Legislation will be brought forward to ensure the better management and protection of the natural environment and to provide support for rural communities.
A Bill to modernise the management of common land will be introduced.
Legislation will be brought forward to help reduce casualties on the roads.
My Government is committed to promoting efficiency, productivity and value for money. Legislation will be introduced to streamline regulatory structures and make it simpler to remove outdated or unnecessary legislation.
Consumer credit law will be updated to provide greater protection for consumers and to create a fairer, more competitive credit market.
Company law will be reformed to encourage greater levels of investment and enterprise.
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 continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, and will work to bring about the conditions necessary for the restoration of political institutions in Northern Ireland.
Legislation will be brought forward to encourage greater voter participation in elections while introducing further measures to combat fraud and increase security.
Legislation will also be introduced to reform the National Assembly for Wales.
My Government will bring forward proposals to continue the reform of the House of Lords.
If London is selected to host the 2012 Olympic Games, legislation will be introduced as soon as possible to establish the necessary powers to ensure the delivery of the Games, and that the requirements of the International Olympic Committee are met.
My Government will establish a single system of service law for the Armed Forces.
My Government will bring forward a Bill to give effect to the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum. Legislation will be introduced to ratify the treaty of accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union.
Other measures will be laid before you.
My Government will continue to play its full part in international affairs.
The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our visit to Canada later today and to our state visit to Malta in November which precedes the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. We look forward to our visit to Australia in March next year for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne followed by our State visit to Singapore. We also look forward to receiving Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway in the autumn.
The United Kingdom will take over the Presidency of the European Union in July, and my Government will work to build an increasingly prosperous and secure Europe.
My Government will use its Presidency of the G8 to secure progress in tackling poverty in Africa and climate change.
My Government will continue to push for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur.
My Government will continue to work to prevent terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and to combat drug smuggling and international crime.
My Government will work to strengthen commitment to the continued effectiveness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and continue to contribute to a modern and representative United Nations.
My Government will work to secure a successful outcome from the United Nations Millennium Review Summit and the Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong in December.
My Government will support the Iraq Transitional Government and Transitional National Assembly as they write a constitution and prepare for future elections.
My Government will continue to assist the Government of Afghanistan including in its counter-narcotics efforts, and to support better standards of governance throughout the world. Peace in the Middle East will remain one of my Government's highest priorities.
My Government will work to deepen and develop the strong partnership between Europe and the United States in order to meet these objectives.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
8 Queen's Speech (Motion for an Address),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:
We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament—(Mr Kevin Barron);
Ordered, That the Debate be now adjourned.—(Mr Ian Cawsey.)
Debate to be resumed to-morrow.
9 Adjournment,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Mr Ian Cawsey);
And it being Ten o'clock, the Motion for the adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.
10 Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Ian Cawsey.)
And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-eight minutes past Ten o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow.
[Adjourned at 10.28 p.m.
Michael J. Martin
Speaker
Mr Speaker will take the Chair at half-past Eleven o'clock.
APPENDIX I
Papers presented or laid upon the Table:
Papers presented by Her Majesty's Command and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 158 (Presentation of command papers):
Friday 8th April 2005
1 Treaty Series (No. 12, 2005),—Exchange of Notes, done at The Hague on 5th November 2004, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the International Criminal Court concerning the Relocation of Witnesses [Cm. 6513] [Mr Secretary Straw].
2 Treaty Series (No. 13, 2005),—WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, done at Geneva on 21st May 2003 [Cm. 6514] [Mr Secretary Straw].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates during the adjournment pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Friday 8th April 2005
3 Criminal Law,—(1) Bail (Amendment) Act 1993 (Prescription of Prosecuting Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1129); and
(2) Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Prosecuting Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1130),
dated 7th April 2005, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Mr Secretary Clarke].
4 Disabled Persons,—Disability Discrimination (Educational Institutions) (Alteration of Leasehold Premises) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1070), dated 31st March 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Secretary Ruth Kelly].
5 Education,—(1) The Education (Residential Trips) (Prescribed Tax Credits) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1014); and
(2) Education (Review of Staffing Structure) (England) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1032),
dated 30th March 2005, with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Secretary Ruth Kelly].
6 Revenue and Customs,—(1) Orders for the Delivery of Documents (Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1131), dated 8th April 2005;
(2) Revenue and Customs (Inspections) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1133), dated 7th April 2005; and
(3) Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1132), dated 8th April 2005,
with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [Dawn Primarolo].
Papers delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on the undermentioned dates on or after Wednesday 11th May 2005, the day on which Parliament was appointed to meet, pursuant to Standing Order No. 159 (Presentation of statutory instruments):
Papers subject to Negative Resolution:
Wednesday 11th May 2005
7 Agriculture,—Feed (Corn Gluten Feed and Brewers Grains) (Emergency Control) (England) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1265), dated 29th April 2005 [Ms Secretary Hewitt].
8 Road Traffic,—Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Tachograph Card Fees) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1140), dated 8th April 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Darling].
Thursday 12th May 2005
9 Health and Safety,—Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application to Environmentally Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1308), dated 9th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Darling].
Other Papers:
Wednesday 11th May 2005
10 United Nations,—(1) Sudan (United Nations Measures) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1259), dated 7th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer]; and
(2) Sudan (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2005 (S.I., 2005, No. 1258) dated 7th May 2005, with an Explanatory Memorandum [Mr Secretary Straw].
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Tuesday 17th May 2005:
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:
11 Income Tax,—(1) Draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Aruba) Order 2005;
(2) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Montserrat) Order 2005;
(3) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Netherlands Antilles) Order 2005; and
(4) draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (Taxes on Income) (Virgin Islands) Order 2005
[by Act], with Explanatory Memoranda thereon [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].
Other Papers:
12 Air Force (Constitution),—(1) Amendment List 15 to Air Publication 1269 The Royal Air Force—Manual of Medical Management and Administration (Eighth Edition); and
(2) Air Publication 3392—Royal Air Force Manual of Personnel Administration Volume 2, Pay and Personnel (Second Edition) and Volume 3, Allowances (Second Edition)
[by Act] [Secretary John Reid].
13 Broadcasting,—Report and Financial Statements of the Channel Four Television Corporation for 2004 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].
14 Judicial Statistics,—Report by the Lord Chancellor on Judicial Statistics for England and Wales for 2004 [by Command] [Cm. 6565] [Ms Harriet Harman].
15 National Audit,—Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on—
(1) Department of Health: Innovation in the NHS: Local Improvement Finance Trusts;
(2) Ministry of Defence: Driving the Successful Delivery of Major Defence Projects: Effective Project Control is a Key Factor in Successful Projects; and
(3) Securing strategic leadership for the learning and skills sector in England
[by Act]; to be printed [Nos. 28, 30 and 29] [Clerk of the House].
16 Post Office,—Report and Accounts of Royal Mail Holdings plc for the year ended 27th March 2005 [by Act] [Secretary Alan Johnson].
17 Public Petitions,—Observations by—
(1) the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on the Petition [22nd March 2005, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents of Wirral South, Birkenhead and others against the closure of the Dell Primary School;
(2) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the Petition [9th March, in the last Session of Parliament] from citizens of the United Kingdom against the persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese authorities;
(3) the Secretary of State for the Home Office on the Petitions—
(i) [15th September, in Session 2003-04] from residents of Coatbridge and Chryston for the creation of new offences of motor vehicle manslaughter and aggravated motor vehicle manslaughter;
(ii) [12th October, in Session 2003-04] from the family and friends of Natalie McCabe, Vicky Browne and Rebecca Fish, and others, for legislation to increase the penalties for driving offences, to require the display of a valid driving licence and insurance documents in the windscreens of vehicles and to create a separate category of offence for drivers who cause injury or death while driving without a licence; and
(iii) [3rd February, in the last Session of Parliament] from the residents of Hodge Hill, Birmingham, and the surrounding areas for legislation to provide for tougher sentencing for dangerous driving; and
(4) the Secretary of State for Transport on the Petitions—
(i) [5th April, in the last Session of Parliament] from Mr Cresswell Butters and others for measures to relieve the Wiltshire villages of Stapleford, Stoford, South Newton and parts of Wilton from increased road traffic; and
(ii) [6th April, in the last Session of Parliament] from residents and bus passengers of Walton, Stone, in Staffordshire, for the restoration of the 101 bus service from Walton Corner along the A34 to Aston Island
[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].
18 Statutory Instruments (Notification),—Communication declaring that the undermentioned Statutory Instrument had come into operation before copies were laid before Parliament, and explaining why such copies had not been so laid before the Instruments came into operation:
Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) 2005 (S.R. (N.I.), 2005, No. 191)
[by Standing Order] [The Speaker].
19 Treaty Series (No. 14, 2005),—Convention, done at Brussels on 29th November 1996, on the Accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters and to the Protocol on its interpretation by the Court of Justice, with the Adjustments made to them by the Convention on the Accession of the Kingdom of Denmark, of Ireland and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, by the Convention on the Accession of the Hellenic Republic and by the Convention on the Accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic [by Command] [Cm. 6549] [Mr Secretary Straw].
20 Treaty Series (No. 15, 2005),—Exchange of Notes, done at Accra on 8th and 14th January 2003, and 30th January and 10th March 2004, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ghana concerning Certain Commercial Debts (The United Kingdom/Ghana Debt Agreement No. 3 (2002)) and The United Kingdom/Ghana Debt Agreement No. 3 (2002) Amendment [by Command] [Cm. 6550] [Mr Secretary Straw].
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