Slimming down? Size of previous Queen's speeches

1997: 22 bills 1998: 26 bills 1999: 28 bills 2000: 15 bills

The Queen's speech, delivered to the House of Lords on Wednesday, outlined 15 bills and four in draft form - considerably shorter than the programmes outlined in previous years.

Downing Street insisted that the speech amounted to "a full programme that shows, unusually, a government gaining momentum in its fourth year, not losing it".

But the comparatively slim agenda further fuelled expectations of an early election.

'Yob culture' tackled

The speech is written by the government and delivered by the Queen

In her speech for the annual state opening of Parliament, the Queen confirmed that crime and disorder were key targets for the coming legislative year.

The government will also introduce another free vote on hunting with dogs.

Tackling crime formed the centrepiece of the speech with five bills introducing:

• Fixed �100 penalties for offences of disorderly behaviour in public places;
  
• Police to be able to shut down rowdy pubs and clubs;
  
• A ban on drinking alcohol in the street;
  
• Child curfew schemes for those aged nine to 15;
  
• There will also be new powers for police to seize the assets of criminals, aimed in particular at drug barons.

Downing Street has stressed that the prime minister is determined to take on the "yob culture" in Britain.

But the Conservatives were swift to respond. Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe described the measures as "pre-election puff".

She predicted that many of the bills announced would not see the light of day.

"It's further proof that Labour is all spin and no delivery. They continue a long tradition of large announcements followed by zero implementation," she said.

'Simplistic answers'

And the Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes also expressed reservations.

"Yob culture must be tackled, but this requires a sustained attack on drug and alcohol abuse, weapons and violence, not more gimmicks and simplistic answers."

Crime was not the only subject the government wanted to focus on.

On health, the government is to shake up funding, providing �500m for the best-run NHS trusts immediately and to others under strict supervision.

There are also plans for "Public-Private Partnerships" - partial privatisations - to improve primary health care such as GP services, particularly in inner cities.

Tobacco ad ban

There will also be a bill to ban the promotion and advertising of tobacco - an issue Labour had previously faced accusations of backing down on.

Unlike much of the proposed legislation, the advertising ban would also apply in Scotland.

But devolution means that issues like and crime and health remain under the control of the Scottish Executive.

In education, another priority area for New Labour, there will be further measures aimed at extending to secondary schools the present drive to improve literacy and numeracy in primary schools.

A regulatory reform bill is also promised, cutting red tape in areas such as fire regulations and allowing pubs and restaurants to open later.

A billl to make home-buying simpler in England and Wales will also be introduced aimed at making the process "more transparent and consumer-friendly".

Also in the speech was the long-awaited Hunting Bill. It will give MPs a free vote on the future of hunting with hounds.

A number of draft bills will also be published. One will be on safety measures, which will include areas recommended by Lord Cullen's inquiry into the Paddington rail crash.

New Labour's 'fourth chapter'

A Downing Street spokesperson said the speech provided the "fourth chapter of the government's story".

Chapter one centred on the economy; chapter two on work and unemployment; the third chapter on schools.

This latest instalment "is about matching the opportunity economy with the responsibility society".

MPs will debate the contents of the speech over the next week.