Robin Cook has written to MPs asking them for their views on his plans to "normalise" House of Commons sitting hours.

The decision to hold a further consultation on the plans comes amid criticism from MPs representing constituencies in Scotland, the North East and the South West.

The plan to wind-up Commons business in the early evening is "London-centric" say MPs who cannot travel back to their constituencies.

Whilst Cook is understood to be willing to agree to a compromise deal on sitting hours, he is said to be sticking to his guns on plans to shorten the recess and streamline the legislative process.