LONDON, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Wednesday expressed welcome over news that a bill to ban cluster munitions will be introduced in the next parliamentary session.

    Announced in Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's Speech on Wednesday, the bill would implement the Britain's international obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and thereby pave the way for the Britain's ratification.

    Miliband said the bill would allow Britain to "continue its leading role in preventing civilian deaths and injuries from these deadly weapons."

    He said "It's great news that a bill to ban cluster munitions will be introduced in the next Parliamentary session. This paves the way for British ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which I signed in Oslo almost a year ago."

    Momentum behind the convention is building with 101 countries now signed. "I want to see this number increase. Signatories have an obligation under the convention to encourage non-states parties to accede. This is an obligation Britain takes very seriously," Miliband said.

    He said British leadership helped to secure the CCM that was signed by over 90 countries on Dec. 3, 2008. The convention is an example of what can be achieved when like-minded countries join forces with civil society.

    The Queen outlined the government's priority for the coming parliamentary year in the speech while economic recovery was also highlighted as a key priority.

    "My government's overriding priority is to ensure sustained growth to deliver a fair and prosperous economy for families and businesses, as the British economy recovers from the global economic downturn. Through active employment and training programs, restructuring the financial sector, strengthening the national infrastructure and providing responsible investment, my government will foster growth and employment," the Queen said.