Orders of the Day — Prorogation – in the House of Commons am 7:50 pm ar 22 Hydref 1991.
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 a copy and also directed that the terms of the speech be printed in the Votes and Proceedings. Copies are being made available in the Vote Office.
My Government played a full and vigorous part in the action taken by the United Nations and the international community to eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait and to restore that country's independence and legitimate government, and in setting up a Compensation Fund for those who suffered following Iraq's invasion. They responded rapidly to the Iraqi Government's persecution of their own people. They have made it clear that Iraq cannot resume its place in the international community while the present government remain in power.
My Government have continued to make a substantial contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and otherwise to maintain provision for national defence commitments. They have welcomed improvements in the security situation in Europe and are participating fully in adapting the Alliance, including the development of a stronger European defence identity in the Western European Union. They have announced proposals to restructure Britain's defences to reflect changing international circumstances.
My Government hosted the successful Economic Summit in July and the subsequent historic meeting between Summit leaders and President Gorbachev of the Soviet Union. Following the Summit, My Government vigorously denounced the attempted coup in the Soviet Union, and supported President Yeltsin's courageous stand against it. They have been working actively to encourage the integration of the Soviet Union and its Republics into the international economy. My Government welcomed warmly the return to independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
My Government have continued to work towards the Single European Market. They have participated fully in negotiations in the Inter-Governmental Conferences on political union and economic and monetary union. They have supported the development of the Community's relations with other European nations. They have, with our European partners, concluded joint declarations with the United States, Canada and Japan; and economic and financial agreements with Asia, Latin America and the Mediterranean non-member countries.
My Government ratified the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and have played a full part in establishing the United Nations International Drugs Control Programme. They concluded agreements to confiscate drug traffickers' funds with seven governments.
In Northern Ireland, My Government's efforts to combat terrorism have continued. An Act has been passed to reform anti-terrorist legislation. My Government have continued to encourage political progress by promoting collective talks with the main constitutional Northern Ireland parties. They, have maintained a constructive relationship with the Republic of Ireland under the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Fier Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the thirty-first day of this instant October, to be then her holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the thirty-first day of this instant October."