"They had to pack the committee with effectively the payroll vote because they couldn't rely on ordinary backbenchers, " he said.

BBC: A victim of crime

Mr Jenkin noted that the government's plans to cut the number of MPs by 50 would increase the current payroll vote from 22% to 23.5% of the Commons.

BBC: Senior Tory MP calls for fewer ministers

Senior Tory Bernard Jenkin, who chairs the Public Administration Committee, said that cutting the number of ministers and parliamentary aides would save money, be popular with the public and limit the "payroll vote".

BBC: Senior Tory MP calls for fewer ministers