Five MPs remain silent for a year and a half

For most MPs, the problem is shutting them up. However, five Labour backbenchers appear to have taken a Trappist vow of silence: new figures showed that they did not make a single contribution to debates in the Commons last year.

According to the first "league table" of parliamentarians, the not-so-famous five are Terry Lewis, MP for Worsley; David Marshall, MP for Glasgow Shettleston; Bill Olner, MP for Nuneaton; Christine Russell, MP for City of Chester, and John Cummings, MP for Easington.

The leaked figures have been compiled by Westminster officials but, unlike league tables for schools and hospitals, have not been made public and are restricted to the Commons library.

Only one Tory, James Cran, MP for Beverley, was similarly speechless in the Commons chamber in the 18 months from the June 2001 general election to last November. A further 11 Labour MPs spoke only once, sometimes for less than a minute.

Nevertheless, none of the five silent Labour MPs was ashamed of their record when confronted about it, citing a string of excuses that stopped just short of the dog eating their homework.

Mr Cummings, MP for Easington since 1987, said: "The chamber should be reserved for if you have something significant to say." Mr Olner said: "I may not have made a speech but I represent my constituents fairly well." Mr Lewis blamed ill-health: "I am struggling through, trying to keep on top of my constituency work."

John Bercow, Tory MP for Buckingham, emerged as the most vocal MP, asking 4,224 questions and taking part in 70 debates. "I am amazed some Labour MPs do so little," he said.