If the institutions of parliamentary democracy are worth preserving, the duty to explain them to the people they are meant to serve becomes vitally important.

A careful and sympathetic sense of humour can also be a great asset when there is need to get out of difficult situations gracefully.

Debates must take place in an atmosphere of courtesy.

Question Period is not part of the legislative process,and has nothing to do with it. It is a means of monitoring the Executive that the Government cannot evade.

Democracy is not a form of government. It is a political philosophy that can be embodied in various systems of government.

But while the American Constitution was the child of war, ours grew out of discussion, bargaining and negotiation.

as I became Speaker in 1986, I made a point of setting up a public information office to respond to requests and provide information about Parliament and how it functions.