The bill would also set a "maximum proportion" of ministers, whips and PPSs in each House of Parliament.

BBC: Tory MP calls for fewer ministers and peers

It would introduce a legal limit on the number of "ministers, whips and parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) in each House of Parliament", he told MPs on 26 October 2010, as he introduced the legislation.

BBC: Tory MP calls for fewer ministers and peers

This matters because the payroll - the list of ministers and whips and Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) and chairmen, deputy chairmen and assistant chairmen at party HQ, who're all expected to support the government - is an important factor in Commons votes.

BBC: Muzzled?