Philip Mawer, the parliamentary standards commissioner, has recommended that MPs be fined up to a week's salary for breaking rules on Commons procedure.

His suggestion comes in a written submission to the committee on standards in public life, chaired by Sir Nigel Wicks, which is investigating how to improve the self-regulation of parliament.

In a separate move, the House of Commons is drawing up plans to force MPs to declare their expenses.

Under the proposals, all MPs would have to publish their office, staff and travel costs.