My Lords and

Press, 12 November 1977, Page 14

My Lords and

Under the heading “A different speech,” the “Daily Telegraph,” of London, produced its own version of the speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament and published it as a leading article on November 4: MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

In pursuit of peace and collective security, My Government will continue to drag their feet in the North Atlantic Alliance and in the European Economic Community. They will continue to seek the fulfilment of all the provisions of the provisions of the Helsinki Agreement by other signatories, so far as is compatible with not offending President Brezhnev. My Government will maintain their efforts to help poor and needy dictators. In order to provide a secure future for people of all races in Southern Africa,

they will further strive to bring about chaos and old night wherever in that area such conditions do not already prevail. The strengthening of the country’s financial position and balance of payments confronts My Ministers with temptations which they will find increasingly hard to resist, especially in view of their own commitment to sustained growth and full employment and of the mounting intransigence of certain of My industrial subjects. My Government will ensure that the benefits of North Sea oil are used to achieve an improved industrial performance, more jobs, higher real incomes, improved public services, the repayment of debts, the drying of all tears and everything else they can think of, in the hope that the said benefits may prove adequate for all these purposes. Internationally My Government will continue to urge the stronger economies to

become weaker economies by inflating their currencies. My Government are resolved to make no more explicitly socialistic noises until the next election is in the bag. For this reason among others, they remain firmly committed to establishing directly elected Assemblies for Scotland and Wales. They will continue to encourage industrial democracy in the nationalised industries, while ensuring that the customer is kept in proper subordination. They seek further competition in the private sector, where it exists, but not in the public sector, where it does not. Should power supplies permit the printing of the necessary documents, legislation will be introduced providing for changes in the structure of the electricity industry. My Ministers are considering further measures to help such small firms as have survived the effects of past measures. My Government will

develop their transport policy to meet economic and social needs, including those of rural areas, while maintaining the transport licensing system which has so much improved rural health by encouraging walking. Having driven everyone wh.o can move out of inner urban areas, My Ministers will now offer financial inducements to those willing to return. As a further inducement, they will facilitate strikes in the Post Office, thereby enhancing what Karl Marx described as the idiocy of rural life.

Measures will be brought before you to reform public sector housing subsidies in Scotland, and not before time, if rumour does not err and if reform is what My Ministers really have in mind. Other measures will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.