WORSLEY MP Terry Lewis has revealed he is struggling with ill health after a report named him as one of Britain's silent MPs.

An independent survey of MPs' participation in Parliamentary debates discovered the outspoken veteran politician did not say a single thing in the Chamber of the Commons last year.

Details of the MP's lack of participation were revealed in a survey by Commons officials, the findings of which were leaked to a Sunday newspaper.

Mr Lewis, aged 67, who has twice been voted Britain's most motivated MP during his 20 years in Parliament, admits he has been "slowed down" by diabetes and problems with his prostate glands.

The left-wing Labour stalwart plans to stand down at the next election after becoming disillusioned with current Labour policies. However, he claims he is still working hard to represent the interests of his constituents outside the Commons debating chamber.

He said: "I am not as pro-active as I used to be. With the health problems I have had over the last couple of years I have to ask myself whether it is worth sitting in the commons for three hours just to make a 10 minute speech.

"But my constituents know I am looking after their interests and know I will speak out on issues I feel strongly about."

Mr Lewis has had a colourful career in the Commons.

He has been a regular critic of his party leadership, he has spoken out against the war in Iraq and once stormed across the floor of the house to call Prime Minister John Major "a plonker".

The Commons survey, dubbed the "lazy MPs league", is the first time MPs' work-rate has been measured.

Its results were intended to be for the benefit of MPs only, but were leaked in part to the press by a Commons insider.

Mr Lewis came bottom of the table along with four other Labour MPs who all also failed to speak in Parliamentary debates last year.

The party suffered badly in the table with 17 of its MPS among the 20 found to have spoken least in the House of Commons.

Another 11 Labour MPs -- who receive around £100,000 in pay and expense -- spoke only once, sometimes for just seconds.