If adopted by MPs today, Robin Cook's plans will lead to a radical overhaul of the Commons' procedures and sitting hours.

The vote is expected to be taken later tonight.

The key details are given below:

"...more effective law making by more routine publication of bills in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny, for consultation with opposition parties on the broad shape of the legislative year and more flexibility in programming, for an annual House of Commons calendar which would allow honourable members to plan work in their constituencies more effectively... for more effective use of the Chamber including more regular use of the time limits on speeches, and a parliament that is more accessible to the public that it serves."

Mondays: Hours remain as 2.30pm to 10.30pm for the Commons. Westminster Hall does not sit.

Tuesdays: Commons hours would be 11.30am to 7.00pm. Westminster Hall would sit from 9.30am to 11.00pm and then from 2.00pm for two and a half hours.

Wednesdays: Commons hours would be 11.30am to 7.00pm. Westminster Hall would sit from 9.30am to 11.00pm and then from 2.00pm for two and a half hours.

Thursdays: Commons hours would be 11.30 to 6.00pm. Westminster Hall would sit from 2.30pm for three hours.

Fridays: Commons would not normally sit.

Where a Tuesday or a Wednesday immediately follow recess, the Commons will sit at 2.30pm to allow members time to return from their constituencies.

The report states: "These new hours do not represent any change to the total number of hours of sitting on the four main days of business which would remain broadly constant."

Committees and Westminster Hall should not sit during question time or statements.

An earlier start means statements can be made at 12.30, leaving at least an hour before main business starts again at 2.00pm. The report comments:

"As a result, the principal events in the parliamentary day would take place earlier and would have a better opportunity to set the agenda of public debate and media reporting."

• Planted questions are replaced by formal statements, which ministers must give notice of five days before hand.

• Notice for oral questions is reduced from ten to just three days.

• There is a reduction in the overall number of oral questions.

• Members are limited to a daily quota of five named day questions.

Ministers will be able to give notice of a "carry-over motion" that will allow a bill to continue its life-cycle during recess.

Notice may be given either when the bill is read a second time or within an hour and a half of the commencement of proceedings.

Debates are arranged on the basis that departments are on a rota to answer any topic within their brief every alternate week.

This is to alleviate the pressure on the departments for transport and health, under whose remit a disproportionate number of topics for discussion currently fall.

Recess is to be shortened by one month. Members will leave Westminster earlier in July, but return in September.