A plan to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information Act inquiries is to be discussed again on Friday.

The bill was successfully 'filibustered' last week.

Former Conservative chief whip David Maclean had raised a private member's bill and said he did not want letters on behalf of constituents published.

Critics, however, said the bill would allow MPs to cover up issues such as expenses.

Opponents to the bill spoke for five hours on Friday, debating for the full time slot until reaching the deadline, and the bill now goes to the bottom of the private member's bill queue.

However, in a rare turn of events the bill is up for discussion again this Friday because the six bills which were due to be debated are not ready.