REDCAR MP Vera Baird this week signed an early day motion calling for MPs' pensions to be invested only in ethical investments.

This move follows the revelation last week that MPs were paying six per cent of their annual salary into a fund which supports the arms trade and tobacco industry.

Ms Baird said: "We are all members of the House of Commons own pension scheme and these investments are inconsistent with the way I live the rest of my life.

"I do not think that most members knew that this was going on and now we must stop it."