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Reasons for disagreeing to certain Lords amendments reported, and agreed to; to be communicated to the Lords.
Madam Deputy Speaker: Pursuant to the Order of the House of 8 November, the sitting is suspended. Shortly before the sitting resumes, I shall cause the Division bell to be sounded.
4.4 pm
6 pm
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 15 (Exempted business),
That, at this day's sitting, the consideration of any Lords Amendments and Messages that may be received may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.—[Ms Bridget Prentice.]
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Pursuant to the Order of the House of 8 November, the sitting is suspended. Shortly before the sitting resumes, I shall cause the Division bell to be sounded.
6.1 pm
18 Nov 2004 : Column 1518
Hunting Bill
9.1 pm
Mr. Speaker: I have to inform the House that a message has been brought from the Lords as follows:
"The Lords insist on their amendments to the Hunting Bill, to which the Commons have insisted on their disagreement, for which insistence they assign their reasons. They insist on their amendments to which the Commons have disagreed, for which insistence they assign their reasons, and they disagree to the amendment proposed by the Commons in lieu of the Lords amendments, for which disagreement they assign their reason."
Mr. Speaker: I read these messages; I don't understand them. It was not a Glasgow man who wrote that one, anyway.
As the Minister made clear to the House in his remarks earlier today, a rejection on these lines has brought us to the end of the road. I am satisfied that all the provisions of the Parliament Acts have been met. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear."] Accordingly, I have to tell the House that I have certified the Hunting Bill under section 2 of the Parliament Act 1911, as amended by the Parliament Act 1949. The Bill endorsed by me will be sent for Royal Assent at the time of prorogation in compliance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts.
9.2 pm
ROYAL ASSENT
9.59 pm
Mr. Speaker: I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, authorising the Royal Assent to the following Acts:
Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Act 2004
Hunting Act 2004
18 Nov 2004 : Column 1519
Prorogation
Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech
Mr. Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, one of the Lord Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command. For greater accuracy, I have obtained and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Journal. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
The Gracious Speech was as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government has taken action in support of economic stability and growth, and to deliver reform of the public services, increasing opportunity and social justice.
My Government is committed to delivering a world class education system to allow individuals to achieve their full potential. An Act has been passed to enable higher education institutions to secure the additional necessary funding and ensure fair access for all. My Government has brought forward a Bill to enable some local authorities to pilot new arrangements for school transport to extend provisions to cover more pupils.
An Act has been passed to provide all children born from September 2002 with a child trust fund, encouraging parents and children to save and ensuring that all children have a financial asset at 18.
Legislation has also been passed to protect pension scheme members if companies become insolvent, to encourage employers to provide good quality pensions and individuals to save effectively for retirement.
My Government has published a draft Bill to ensure comprehensive civil rights for disabled people.
In addition, legislation has been passed putting in place a range of measures to streamline the asylum and immigration system and tackle abuse.
My Government continues to make the reduction of crime and the fear of crime a priority, and to enhance security and protection.
An Act has been passed modernising the laws on domestic violence and establishing a Commissioner to support the interests of victims and witnesses.
A Children's Commissioner for England has also been established as part of legislation improving services to protect children.
Draft legislation has also been published on establishing a national identity card scheme.
Legislation has been passed creating a long-term foundation for civil contingency planning in the UK, improving the basis for preparations at a local level and modernising the emergency powers framework.
An Act has been passed to ensure the fire and rescue services can respond effectively to the changing demands they face.
18 Nov 2004 : Column 1520
Members of the House of Commons
I thank you for the provision you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public service.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government remains committed to working closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to see an end to all forms of paramilitary activity and to restore as soon as possible a stable and inclusive partnership government in Northern Ireland. An Act has been passed establishing a Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission.
My Government continues to work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. Acts have been passed to retain the current number of members in the Scottish Parliament and to establish a single public audit body for Wales. A Bill to provide the National Assembly for Wales with a range of transport-related powers has been published in draft.
My Government continues to take forward a programme of constitutional reform.
Legislation has been passed to improve traffic flow and manage road works more effectively.
An Act has been passed to establish a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and to promote secure and sustainable energy supplies.
Legislation has been passed to help create a fairer housing market and protect the most vulnerable, and to make the planning system fairer and faster with greater community participation.
In addition, legislation has been passed implementing the Government's review of the Employment Relations Act 1999, and to improve company law by strengthening accounting, audit and inspection arrangements removing barriers to recruiting directors and creating Community Interest Companies to enable social enterprises to meet the needs of their communities in new and innovative ways.
My Government has brought forward draft legislation on a number of other matters including animal welfare, charities and mental health.
Other important measures have been enacted.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
The Duke of Edinburgh and I were pleased to pay a state visit to Nigeria in December and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. We were pleased to receive the state visit of His Excellency the President of Poland in May, and to pay a state visit to Germany earlier this month. We were also pleased to mark the centenary of the Entente Cordiale with a state visit to France in April and will receive His Excellency the President of France this week.
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