Experts have rejected calls for "English votes for English laws" at Westminster – allowing Scottish MPs to retain potential casting votes on legislation that does not affect their constituents.

This follows warnings north of the Border that such a politically explosive measure would leave Scottish politicians as "second class" MPs.

The move will provoke a backlash from English Tory backbenchers, many of whom believe the system is unfair. The West Lothian Question was coined by former Labour MP Tam Dalyell who asked how it could be right that, following devolution, he could vote on education policies that would affect Blackburn, Lancashire and not Blackburn, West Lothian. The issue became controversial during the rule of the last Labour Government, amid accusations a rise in university tuition fees in 2004 was pushed through by Scottish Labour MPs whose constituents would not have to pay the charges.

In its long-awaited report, the McKay Commission warns the current situation is "unsustainable" and calls for change. But a spokesman for the commission said its recommendations were "transparency measures, rather than anything else".

The report proposes decisions with a separate and distinct effect for England, be taken only with the consent of a majority of MPs sitting for constituencies in England.

However, it stops short of recommending English MPs be given a veto on legislation. Instead, the outcome of how English MPs vote should be noted by ministers.

In what is expected to be a more controversial move, however, the commission does suggest changing the make up of committees scrutinising some legislation in order to better represent the breakdown of parties in England. If adopted, this would cut Labour's power in what can be influential committees.

On the issue of English votes for English laws, the commission found the idea flawed and impractical. Instead of such a "double lock", it suggest a "double count" where the proportion of English MPs supporting a bill would be published alongside the overall result.

"In the double-count, the determining majority would be that in the overall vote, as has always been the case," according to the report.

"But if a Government was seen to have failed to attract the support of a majority of MPs from England (or England and Wales) for business affecting those interests, it would be likely to sustain severe political damage."

Commission chairman Sir William McKay said: "The more law-making in the UK has moved away from Westminster and towards the devolved legislatures, the more Westminster law-making has inevitably come to focus on England (or England and Wales). But the processes for making law at Westminster have not significantly changed.

"Surveys have shown people in England are unhappy about the existing arrangements, and support change. The status quo clearly cannot be sustained."

A Coalition Government spokesman said ministers would "give the report very serious consideration before we respond substantively".

Labour said it would look carefully at the report's conclusions.

The SNP insists the solution to the West Lothian Question is for Scotland to leave the UK.