New Bills announced in Queen’s Speech
25 May 2010 (updated on 25 May 2010)
Twenty-one new Bills and one draft Bill were announced in the Queen’s Speech outlining the Government's legislative programme for the coming parliamentary session.
- Lords Hansard: read the transcript of the Queen’s Speech
- Video and audio: Queen's Speech
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
Debating the Queen's Speech
Following the State Opening, a motion that the House sends a 'Humble Address' to the Queen thanking her for the Speech is introduced in both Houses. The Government's programme, as presented in the Queen's Speech, is then debated by both Houses for four or five days.
The first day of the Debate on the Address, as it is known, is more general in tone. On the following days both Houses hold debates covering different subjects.
The Lords and Commons will individually debate the proposed new laws and policies set out in the Queen’s Speech from 25 May to 2 June. The parliamentary calendar gives details of what's on in each House.