MP PETER Pike wants MPs to get Fridays off from Westminster -- so they can spend more time in their constituencies.

The Burnley Labour backbencher has won the support of 18 colleagues for a call to ensure that every Friday, not just most, is free of House of Commons business so that they can go back to their seats.

He has put down an Early Day Motion at Westminster urging the change on the Parliamentary authorities.

Now, many Fridays are left free for MPs to do what they like -- although most go back to their constituency to hold surgeries and deal with problems.

However, on a number of Fridays Private Members Bills are still dealt with.

Mr Pike believes that since the change in hours at Westminster, which means that the House of Commons finishes at about 7pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays this business could be taken on a different day.

His Commons Motion suggests that Private Members Bills should be dealt with on Tuesday evenings after the main business of the Commons concludes at 7pm, allowing Fridays to be non-sitting days, enabling MPs to work in their constituencies.

His Motion -- published on the House of Commons Order Paper, Parliament's daily agenda sent to all MPs, ministers and senior civil servants -- is unlikely to be debated. However, it may persuade the Leader of the Commons Peter Hain to act.

Mr Pike says the move would enable MPs "to foster closer relationships with businesses, schools and organisations which function from Mondays to Fridays and I believe that it would enable more MPs to be present in the Commons to take part in the debates and vote on Private Members Bills."

He said: "I already do quite a lot on Saturdays and Sundays, but it would be much more helpful if I could visit schools and hospitals, go to factories and hold surgeries on Fridays.

"I think it would help all MPs to be able to use Fridays to go to their constituencies when firms and public services are still in their normal working week."