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The Queen’s Speech to parliament 2002 |
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| 13th November 2002 |
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My Lords and members of the House of Commons.
My government's main priorities are economic stability, investment
and reform in public services and a constructive foreign policy.
To this end, my government will maintain sound public finances and
will continue to take action to secure high levels of employment.
This approach will enable my government to continue to invest in the
public services, while supporting major programmes of reform on health,
education, transport and crime.
At the heart of my government's legislative programme is a commitment
to reform and rebalance the criminal justice system to deliver justice
for all and to safeguard the interests of victims, witnesses and communities.
A bill will be introduced to reform sentencing arrangements and criminal
procedures.
Sentencing will be reformed to ensure that the punishment is appropriate
for the offender. New types of sentence will be introduced to protect
the public from dangerous offenders, help reduce re-offending and
deal with young offenders.
The bill will also allow retrials for those acquitted of serious offences
where new and compelling evidence emerges. It will also simplify the
rules of evidence to allow judge and jury to hear all the facts, including
relevant previous convictions of a defendant.
Legislation will also be introduced to reform the courts system. It
will bring together magistrates' courts and the crown court to work
more effectively under a single organisation. New sanctions will allow
courts to enforce the payment of fines more efficiently.
My government will introduce a bill to tackle antisocial behaviour
that damages communities. A bill will be brought forward to modernise
the laws on sexual offences and to strengthen the framework of penalties
for sex offenders to protect the public.
A bill will also be introduced to improve international co-operation
in tackling crime, including drugs trafficking, and to modernise the
arrangements for international mutual assistance to catch criminals.
My government will bring forward legislation to streamline the licensing
system for premises selling alcohol. This will abolish fixed opening
hours and introduce a range of measures to reduce antisocial behaviour.
My government will continue to modernise the delivery of healthcare
based on the founding principles of the NHS. Legislation will be brought
forward to devolve power and resources to frontline staff; give greater
freedom to successful hospitals while increasing their accountability
to local communities; and to introduce an independent health inspectorate.
A bill will also be introduced to help ensure that local authorities
support older people awaiting discharge from hospital.
Raising educational standards remains my government's main priority
for Britain's future prosperity.
Secondary school reform will continue to promote opportunity and choice
through greater diversity for parents and pupils. University reform
proposals will be published to improve access and build on excellence.
My government wants to create a welfare state based on giving people
rights and responsibilities. They will pursue proposals that focus
on the importance of work as part of our social security system.
They will also bring forward proposals to tackle problems of truancy.
A bill will be brought forward to establish a railway accident investigation
branch in the light of Lord Cullen's recommendations on transport
safety and reform the way railways are regulated to improve services
for the public.
My government will introduce a bill to modernise local government
by improving the delivery of local services through better financial
management and greater freedom for councils based on performance.
Legislation will also be introduced to provide for the holding of
referendums on the issue of regional governance in England.
Legislation will be brought forward to reform the broadcasting and
telecommunications industry by promoting competition and investment
and giving powers to the office of communications.
Measures will be brought forward to protect our environment, including
legislation on the conservation and proper management of water.
My government will also introduce legislation to speed up the planning
system while improving the involvement of local communities. 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.
In Northern Ireland, my government will continue to work closely with
the political parties and the Irish government to secure the full
implementation of the Belfast agreement. Legislation will be brought
forward on policing in Northern Ireland.
My government maintains its commitment to devolution in Scotland and
Wales. A bill will be introduced to reform the provision of health
services in Wales.
A bill will be introduced to enable parliament to reach a conclusion
on hunting with dogs.
Parliament will be invited to scrutinise legislation in draft on a
number of measures, reflecting the importance that my government places
on pre-legislative scrutiny by parliament.
Legislation in draft will be published to improve both housing standards
and standards of management of private rented accommodation by landlords.
Draft legislation will be published on the management of nuclear liabilities.
A draft bill will also be published to reform the laws on corruption.
My government looks forward to considering the report from the joint
committee on House of Lords reform.
Other measures will be laid before you.
My Lords and members of the House of Commons.
The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to paying a visit to Belgium
next spring and to receiving the state visit of his Excellency the
President of Russia next summer.
My government will work for rapid progress on enlargement of the European
Union, notably at next month's European Council meeting in Copenhagen.
Legislation will be introduced to enable the United Kingdom to ratify
the accession treaty with prospective member states.
My government will make a decision on whether to recommend entry into
the single currency on the basis of the assessment of the five economic
tests to be completed by next June.
The forthcoming NATO Summit in Prague will emphasise the alliance's
continuing role as the cornerstone of Britain's national security.
My government will continue work for an enlarged and even more effective
NATO, enjoying a close partnership with Russia.
My government will continue to play a leading role in combating terrorism
and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which are among
the most serious threats to the security of the United Kingdom and
our allies. My government will continue to work with the international
community to ensure the implementation of all UN security council
resolutions.
My government will work for rapid and effective implementation of
the agreements reached at the recent World Summit for Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg and will focus on tackling climate change
and finding new ways to meet our energy needs.
My government will continue to work for a more effective global effort
to reduce poverty, building on the UN millennium development goals
and on progress achieved at the recent Monterrey conference on financing
for development. Britain's aid budget will be increased and we will
work to implement the Africa Action Plan in response to the new partnership
for Africa's development.
My government will work for a successful outcome to the current round
of world trade negotiations that benefits industrialised and developing
countries alike.
My Lords and members of the House of Commons
I pray that the blessing of almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
House adjourned during pleasure.
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