Mr. Black said:
"I am backing Carers' Week as I have seen at first hand how hard thousands people work to support dependent relatives and friends who suffer with illnesses or conditions which cause them to rely on others.
"One in six people care in some way for another person. That is a huge army, who by their efforts help others to live as normal a life as possible at home, rather than being institutionalised..
"Many carers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and too often, the contribution they make is not recognised by society generally. For example many carers who attend my surgeries make the point that the benefits system takes little account of the effort they make.
"Carers' Week is essential to highlight the work carers do and to raise awareness amongst the general public of their importance."