Robin Cook has conceded that the government may have to think again on its plans for reform of the House of Lords.

Speaking in the wake of mounting criticism of Labour's plans to introduce a small elected element to the upper house, Cook admitted that the government would have to revise its plans.

As opposition to the proposals grows amongst Labour MPs, the leader of the Commons told the public administration select committee that the government would engage in a "period of reflection" before a final solution is presented to parliament.

"In the light of what we have heard so far and are likely to hear, that period of reflection should not be rushed, said Cook

Labour MPs are angered at the plans, which would see just one in five peers being directly-elected. Nearly 120 Labour backbenchers have signed an early day motion which calls for a "wholly or substantially elected second chamber".

A survey of backbench opinion, conducted by the Labour MP Graham Allen, found that MPs wanted around 60 per cent of the second chamber to be elected.

Admitting that the government may have got the balance wrong, Cook said the government's proposals were always intended as a consultation exercise.

"I would fully accept that that the broad tenor of response to the consultation, both in parliament and outside parliament, has tended to suggest that most people think that this is not the correct proportion," he said.

But he rejected calls for a totally elected second chamber, saying such a move would threaten the supremacy of the House of Commons.