British government will introduce further legislation to tighten the immigration and asylum system keeping in view the economic interests of the country, Queen Elizabeth II said on Tuesday.
"Legislation will be taken forward to introduce an identity cards scheme and further legislation will be introduced to tighten the immigration and asylum system in a way that is fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the country," the Queen said in her speech, delivered amid the pomp and pageantry of the House of Lords.
The measures announced included an asylum and immigration bill with powers to fast-track asylum applications, detain asylum claimants for 24 hours while their claims are processed and impose civil penalities on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
There would also be plans to "continue the fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elesewhere," the Queen said, adding measures expected include a law creating new criminal offences of "acts preparatory to terrorism" and
"glorifying or condoning terrorism."