Although a parliament exists, its autonomy and influence are trivial - in large part due to the widespread corruption that permeates every facet of the empire's institutions.

Whilst the parliaments existed, it was evident that the people might some time or other come to resort to them and rally under the standard of their ancient laws.

When I was elected, the Scottish parliament did not exist.

In addition, two territorial parliaments exist.

After the abolition of the Irish Parliament under the Act of Union of 1800 no parliament existed in Ireland until the twentieth century.

Vigorous parliaments exist in the Baltics and, surprisingly, economies are stable - stores are filling up.

As David - now Lord - Steel said a few years ago: "No self-respecting parliament can exist permanently on a grant from another parliament."

Along with thirteen other king's counsel, on December 9, 1798, he protested against the proposals for a union with Great Britain, and after being elected member for Enniscorthy he continued, as long as the Irish parliament existed, persistently to oppose the measure.

But, Mr President, the problem remains for this Parliament too, that no parliament exists without a relationship with the people: democracy.

In the British Army in India such parliaments existed briefly at both Mhow and Deolaili, and perhaps others.