Rt Hon SIR GEORGE YOUNG, THEN SHADOW LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentarians in all parties are today facing a very serious challenge. The authority of this institution has historically stemmed from the trust placed in its elected representatives by the public. On a corporate level that trust has been dramatically undermined in the last few months. It's true to say that individual MPs and peers are still viewed with great affection, are highly respected as constituency fixers and are relied upon to be expert legislators and scrutinisers.

But the standing of Parliament itself has been badly shaken, and all of us need to work on repairing it.

In addition to implementing necessary reforms on pay and allowances, we should encourage more people to take an interest in Parliament and to widen public understanding of Parliament's purpose and proceedings. Too few people really grasp what it is we do all day and how we hold the Executive to account. That is why we should particularly thank the publishers of the Parliamentary Yearbook.

For decades they have been providing not only a unique and essential reference to all of us within Westminster but — more importantly — extending this information to everyone outside Parliament, from sixth formers to pensioners. In its scope, the Parliamentary Yearbook is unparalleled; in its detail, it is meticulous.

Parliament has never needed such an invaluable guide more than today and, in that spirit, I commend this edition to you.