The Speech went on to state that the Government programme
of legislation would be comparatively light. The most pressing problem was that of unemployment ; it was proposed to extend the provision made for persons out of work, though the problem could not be solved by Acts of Parliament. A Bill would be introduced to safeguard essential key industries and to deal with " certain aspects of unfair and abnormal industrial competition." The coal trade would be freed from control at the earliest possible moment. The Government would promote Bills to reorganize British railways, to complete land purchase in Ireland, to facilitate Church union in Scotland, and to deal with the sale of liquor. It was hoped that the Committee (of the Cabinet) which was examining the question of Second Chamber Reform would finish its work in time for proposals to be made during the session.
