Having voted to take a pay freeze on his ministerial salary in Parliament yesterday (Thursday), Mr Plaskitt also said MPs' salaries should be independently set, and in line with other public sector workers.

Mr Plaskitt also supports a proposal which will bring an end to MPs voting on their own pay and is in favour of bringing a greater transparency to MPs' expenses and allowances.

He said: "There are regular lurid tabloid headlines about MPs voting ourselves massive pay rises. In fact, we haven't. But to remove all doubt, it's better that we don't vote on them at all.

"There has clearly been abuse of the system by some MPs and it smears all of us. We need to restore confidence in the system.

"I have published my expenses and allowances every year since I entered Parliament. People can see the figures on my website.

"My work is financed by the public and they have a right to know how their money is spent. I welcome new proposals to enforce greater accountability."

*Details of Mr Plaskitt's accounts are available at: www.jamesplaskitt.com

- Stratford MP John Maples also voted for a pay freeze for MPs. He said: "I support the idea that MPs' pay should go up in line with the average earnings increases in the public sector. I think that's fair."

He added: "I certainly think there should be an open and transparent system. The public needs some reassurance that the system is not being abused."

But he did not commit to completely abolishing the system of casting votes in Parliament on ministerial salaries. He said: "We shouldn't have to vote on this every year as it's a very difficult area. It's important to set a mechanism that is going to last another 20 years.

"There ought to be a known pay system that everybody understands."

- Kenilworth and Rugby MP Jeremy Wright decided against casting a vote on the issue of MPs' pay.

He said: "I think it's wholly inappropriate that MPs should vote on their own pay and expenses. It's a matter that should be dealt with by an outside body.

"It does not help people's view of MPs if they are allowed to vote on how much money they earn."

The background:

- MPs were given the chance to vote for or against a freeze on their salaries in the House of Commons yesterday.

- They were paid £60,675 last year and their salary, reviewed every five years, is currently increased every year by a formula linked to senior civil servants' pay.

- There was also a parliamentary debate and vote on allowing MPs to use public money to spend on household goods for second homes.

- Proposals put forward included setting out tighter checks on how they spend their expenses, although under the recommendations, MPs would still be able to claim a maximum of £23,800 a year towards running a second home.

- They would have to provide receipts for all other expenses.