John Bercow gives MPs guide on how to behave in House of Commons

It also warns against insulting fellow MPs or accusing them of lying, advises them not to read out their questions as it undermines the impact and to turn their phones on silent.

Mr Bercow confirmed the document, a copy of which has been obtained by the Press Association, has been sent to all MPs when addressing a question about it in the chamber.

On asking questions in the Commons, the guide notes MPs must be brief.

It states: "You may make use of notes, but should avoid reading out your question word for word as this greatly undermines the impact of questions."

Addressing how MPs should speak in debates, the document explains there is "no hard and fast list of unparliamentary words".

It also notes: "Whether something said is a breach of order depends on the context. The Speaker deprecates personal remarks about other members.

"Any abusive or insulting language used in debate will be required to be withdrawn immediately."

It later adds MPs who fail to show respect to the House in the way they dress will not be called to speak and those who show "flagrant disrespect in their manner of dress" may be asked to withdraw from the chamber.

There is "no exact dress code" although convention suggests men wear a jacket and a tie while for women the "equivalent level of formality should be observed".

The guide notes: "As with the language you use, the way in which you dress should also demonstrate respect for the House and for its central position in the life of the nation."

The "ostentatious display" of badges, brand names, slogans or other forms of advertising are not considered in order, according to the document.

On the courtesies of the Commons, MPs are told: "When listening to a debate you should not read books or newspapers or obviously devote yourself to your correspondence.

"Use of iPads, for example, should be confined to that necessary to enable your participation in debate."

Raising a point of order, Conservative Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) welcomed the guide.

He told Mr Bercow: "May I commend you - and this sounds very oleaginous and creepy I know - on the production of your quick guide to participating in the chamber and Westminster Hall, very succinctly put it is too."

Mr Fabricant noted the tips apply to older MPs as well as younger ones and asked a specific question - to which Mr Bercow, in his reply, confirmed the document has been circulated.

As Mr Bercow spoke, Tory MP Bob Stewart (Beckenham) was engrossed in his tablet computer.

To laughter, the Speaker said: "I hope all members are paying the keenest attention, even if an honourable member is currently consulting an iPad and taking an intense interest in some matter other than that which I'm saying, I feel sure it's only because (Mr Stewart) has already read, possible inwardly digested over breakfast, the document concerned.

"It's a most useful document."

Mr Stewart joked: "I'm not guilty."

Mr Bercow added: "There's also a useful guide to participating in the chamber and Westminster Hall, which has been circulated to all members."

Two Labour MPs later complained Chancellor George Osborne had failed to notify them in advance that he planned to visit their Cardiff constituencies last week.

Former shadow minister Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) and Opposition frontbencher Jo Stevens (Cardiff Central) raised the issue with Mr Bercow.

The Speaker said it was up to the duo to decide if they wanted to refer Mr Osborne to Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood over a potential breach of the ministerial code.

Raising a point of order, Mr Doughty said Mr Bercow had stressed the importance of MPs informing their fellow parliamentarians if they intend to visit their constituencies for work.

He said: "I was therefore particularly surprised and dismayed to get a letter this morning from the Chancellor of the Exchequer informing me of not one but two visits to my constituency that took place five days ago."

Mr Doughty added: "It has also been alleged to me that Treasury civil servants were involved in the facilitation of at least one of those events."

Mr Bercow reiterated it is a "long-standing and firm convention" that MPs give notice before visiting another constituency in a "timely way".

He said: "In the case of ministers, it is clearly stated in the Government's ministerial code that such notice must be given.

"It is open to either of the honourable members to raise this matter with the Cabinet Secretary, if either or both of them should wish to do so.

"However, I trust that what has been said, by them and by me, has been noted by those on the Treasury bench and will be communicated directly to the ministers concerned.

"For the avoidance of doubt, as with virtually every convention in this place, the convention applies without fear, favour or discrimination.

"No minister can be exempted or exempt him or herself from it on the ground of seniority."