Dozens of Conservative MPs are believed to be considering whether or not to support the government's timetable for debating its House of Lords Reform Bill, to be voted on in the Commons tonight.

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, told presenter John Humphrys that "we're not going to get a better and more sensible package than this one".

And he urged his own colleagues to support the changes: "This is something supported by most of the Liberal Democrat party, and the bulk of the Conservative party, and huge numbers of people in principle in the Labour party. Now can that cause difficulties in a coalition? Of course it can, but we've had issues like that before."

Up to 100 Tory backbenchers are thought to be prepared to vote against a timetable motion, limiting the time for debate on the bill in the Commons.

If Conservative rebels succeed, with Labour help, in throwing out the timetable in getting the legislation through parliament it could be enough to delay the plans for months or even years.

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