NEW figures from the House of Commons Library gives an indication of what West Fife's MPs actually do.

The Press circulation area is represented by the SNP's Douglas Chapman and Neale Hanvey, from the Alba Party, and the analysis shows how often they've voted, how many debates the duo have taken part in and how many parliamentary questions they've asked since the last General Election.

The figures cover the activities and contribution to the chamber of MPs between the state opening of Parliament on December 16, 2019, and March 7 this year.

Of the 491 votes over this time, Mr Chapman, who serves in the official opposition, recorded 282 'Aye's' or 'No's'.

The Dunfermline and West Fife MP recorded no vote or abstained on 209 occasions – giving him a participation rate of 57 per cent.

Mr Hanvey, who is on the backbenches, recorded 246 'Aye's' or 'No's'.

The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP recorded no vote or abstained on 245 occasions – giving him a participation rate of 50 per cent.

This was one of the lowest rates with the average for all UK politicians who have sat in the House of Commons since the election (excluding the speakers) standing at 81 per cent.

Several MPs had participation rates as high as 95 per cent, while Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope voted in just 36 per cent of divisions.

However, some may not vote because they are carrying out other work related to their parliamentary, government or opposition roles.

And participation rates can be affected by ‘pairing arrangements’, whereby MPs from different parties who cannot attend a division agree to cancel out one another’s vote.

Before divisions, debates are held for members to discuss Government policy, new laws and topical issues of the day to help the House reach an informed decision.

Since the last election, Mr Chapman, 67, has taken part in 36 debates, speaking a total of 6,608 words.

Mr Hanvey, 57, has taken part in 111 debates, speaking a total of 45,529 words.

By comparison, the average MP has spoken 44,530 words over the same period, Prime Minister Boris Johnson around 394,000 and Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon a whopping 560,000.

These include spoken contributions and oral questions in the House of Commons chamber and in Westminster Hall, but not those shorter than four words.

The figures also show Mr Chapman, who was elected to his seat on May 7, 2015, has asked 111 parliamentary questions since the last election.

These are put formally to a Government minister about a matter they are responsible for – to seek information or to press for action from the Government.

This included 22 put to a Government minister in person, 79 in writing, and four topical questions – those asked during the last 15 minutes of most ministerial question sessions.

And he asked six during Prime Minister's Questions – the weekly session when the PM faces scrutiny in the House.

Mr Hanvey, who was elected on December 12, 2019, left the SNP and joined the Alba Party in March last year.

He has asked 180 parliamentary questions since the last election: 35 put to a Government minister in person, 132 in writing and six topical questions – those asked during the last 15 minutes of most ministerial question sessions.

And he asked seven during PMQs.