The Commons committee that scrutinises laws affecting Scotland should be made up of almost entirely SNP MPs, one of the party's prominent figures has said.

Pete Wishart said the majority of members of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee should be MPs representing Scottish constituencies, as has been customary in the past.

In effect this would mean it would be made up almost entirely of SNP MPs, as Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives only have one MP each north of the border.

Moreover, the Tories' only Scottish MP is Scottish Secretary David Mundell, so he would not be able to sit on the committee. Neither would Labour's Ian Murray, unless he gave up his role shadowing Mr Mundell.

Debating the formation of select committees in the Commons, Mr Wishart said: "We have a particular issue with the membership of the Scottish Affairs Committee.

"I believe there is an expectation in Scotland that as usual the majority of members of the Scottish Affairs Committee should be members of Parliament from Scotland.

"That has always happened and I believe that there is an expectation that that will continue.

"I know the Government are keen to progress English votes for English laws throughout the House so I think we have to have in return Scottish affairs for Scottish."

The SNP's Alex Salmond spoke in support of Mr Wishart's argument and at one stage labelled Tory frontbencher Anna Soubry's behaviour as being like a "demented junior minister".

After it was suggested he should move on with his speech instead of detailing the Barnett formula, Mr Salmond said the Treasury bench should behave better.

Referring to business minister Ms Soubry, Mr Salmond said: "She should be setting an example to her new members, not cavorting about like some demented junior minister. Behave yourself woman."

Commons Leader Chris Grayling said he had "listened carefully" to what Mr Wishart had to say and would have further discussions on the issue.

Mr Wishart spoke as MPs approved plans to create a Women and Equalities Committee for the duration of the Parliament, with the expectation that it would be approved again for the following Parliament and beyond once it has operated for five years.

Motions to create the new committee and set out the allocation of chairs for the others were passed unopposed, with the SNP to chair the Energy and Climate Change Committee as well as the Scottish Affairs Committee.

Nominations for select committee chairs open tomorrow and close on Wednesday June 10.

The ballot to select the chairs then takes place on June 17.