PARLIAMENT has resumed this week after the Easter recess but for local Cardenden and Kinglassie MP Peter Grant he will be going no further than his front room!

Most MPs are being advised not to travel to Westminster and Parliamentary staff have been working flat out to allow them to question Government Ministers without having to be physically present in the House of Commons.

Today (Wednesday) is likely to see the first ever Prime Minister’s Questions by video link.

Glenrothes & Central Fife MP Mr Grant said that while some traditionalists would object to the new arrangements it was vitally important that MPs and around 2,000 staff, who work in Parliament, followed the same rules as everyone else to limit the spread of coronavirus.

He said, “The business of Government has to continue and that means the job of holding the Government to account has to continue as well but it would be disastrous if we tried to go back to anything like the Parliament we’re used to seeing on TV.

"We’ve been saying for weeks now that anyone who can work from home should do so, and that applies to MPs as well.”

Mr Grant added that he has already 'attended' several meetings of Parliamentary committees during the recess and another one was scheduled for this Wednesday.

He said: “When committees need to conduct their business in private we’ve been able to do that online. The challenge is in setting up a secure and reliable way for a hundred or more MPs to take part, and for the public to be allowed to watch the proceedings, either at the time or as soon as possible afterwards.”

Mr Grant also reminded constituents that his constituency team are still working even though his Glenrothes office building is closed.

He said: “My constituency team and I have been working throughout the recess period dealing with an unprecedented number of requests for help. "While most of our work just now is related to the covid-19 outbreak we are still here to help constituents with other problems as well.”