Commons hours have come in for change before

Leader of the House Peter Hain ordered the review after more than 200 MPs signed a motion calling for a rethink.

That was in part because MPs who are members of select committees, which scrutinise government departments, found their duties were clashing.

Mr Hain said he wanted to consult members adding: "I am keen to ensure that we find a way forward."

The last reforms to MPs' working day in the Commons were voted through by MPs in October 2002.

Those changes saw the Commons sitting from 1130 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays instead of the previous 1430 start.

'Common sense'

The changes now see the Commons ending for the day at 1900 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 1800 on Thursdays.

Mr Hain resisted calls to reverse the previous changes but is writing to all MPs asking for their views on the working hours.

He said: "The modernisation committee will need to review the current arrangements... and the House will need to decide whether to maintain or change them."

Meanwhile, he said he would consult members on "common sense" alterations such as changing the times for committee sittings.

Mr Hain added: "Members have expressed to me concerns about a clash of committee sittings with other duties, their 0855 start times, the compression of the week, better use of the early evenings and access for constituents."