Robin Cook has urged his successor as Commons leader to give MPs a greater ability to influence legislation.

Having resigned from the Cabinet at the start of the war with Iraq, Cook indicated that he would continue to speak up for the role of parliament in national life.

Cook also welcomed the new leader of the House to "the most enjoyable job within the Cabinet" and offered a few words of advice for his replacement, John Reid.

"Somewhere in the in-tray for my right honourable friend there will be a brief setting out the agreement setting out that most of the bills for next session should be published in draft in this session," Cook said.

"Many of us in this House take the view that the best way to strengthen the scrutiny of this place will be to let parliament comment on bills while they are still in draft and before they become frozen in their final form."

The Livingston MP said that it would be necessary to "nag" Whitehall departments to meet the publication deadlines.

Responding, Reid said he would accept the suggestion.

"I'm sure that is only one of the valuable pieces of wisdom he will pass on when we have our discussions this week," he said.

Reid also thanked Cook for his work as leader of the Commons and earlier as foreign secretary.