MPs making "vexatious, tit for tat" complaints about other MPs will be named and shamed, the committee on standards and privileges announced on Tuesday.

Sir George Young, chairman of the commons standards and privileges committee, announced the move during an inquiry into how parliament is keeping an eye on MPs and their outside interests.

The new parliamentary commissioner, Philip Mawer, will issue a severe rebuke - which could be made public - to an MP who makes frivolous complaints in an attempt to score party political points.

Sir George revealed one MP had already been sent a letter rebuking him over a complaint.

"If a member comes across a serious breach of the code of conduct, of course that should be reported," Sir George said.

"But I see no reason why there shouldn't be a public letter criticising somebody for making a frivolous, vexatious, time-wasting criticism. I think that might actually help."

One example was of a complaint made that William Hague had not registered his free use of Lord Archer's private gym.

The committee's meeting comes ahead of the expected lifting of restrictions on MPs paid by firms to introduce and amending legislation, due next week.

There was a consensus among the MPs that the present system was "robust and working well".