The rules surrounding MPs tweeting and publishing other social media posts are to be investigated by a parliamentary committee.

The move is in response to a tweet sent last year by a Labor MP which appeared to criticise Speaker Bronwyn Bishop.

The ABC has obtained a letter sent to MPs by the chair of the Standing Committee on procedure, which says the increasing use of electronic devices on the floor to publish comments during parliamentary proceedings "has raised questions about their use".

A government source told the ABC that Queensland Liberal National MP Scott Buchholz, who sits on the Procedure Committee, was particularly concerned about a tweet sent by Labor MP Rob Mitchell which questioned the Speaker's independence:

Speaker makes ruling citing WE as in GovtIndependence of chair gone — Rob Mitchell (@RobMitchellMP) November 21, 2013

Mr Mitchell sent the tweet during debate on climate bills in the House in November.

The Leader of the House, Christopher Pyne, urged Ms Bishop to act.

"On social media, on Twitter, during the division and during the debate, the members for McEwen and Moreton were reflecting quite improperly on the chair and your impartiality," he said at the time.

"I ask you, as the Speaker, to consider whether this is disorderly conduct and what action you might like to take."

Ms Bishop said the same rules applied to MPs as to speaking in the House.

"We have decided in this chamber that we do allow electronic media to be used and that it is the responsibility of individual members to abide by the standing orders in the way in which they use those electronic and social media," she said.

"But I would simply remind you that, on the use of electronic media, the same rules pertain as to speaking in the House."

The letter, authored by the chair of the Procedure Committee, Don Randall, said the adequacy of the regulatory framework governing MPs' use of electronic devices and parliamentarians' own knowledge of the rules will be investigated.

It is understood the committee wants to take another look at the rules surrounding tweets and social media posts in other parliaments around the world.

Burke ruled against blanket Twitter ban

Mr Randall's letter notes that the issue has been examined by previous parliaments.

In March 2013, then-speaker Anna Burke ruled against a blanket ban on tweeting in the chamber because it "would necessitate a blanket restriction on all electronic and communication devices in the chamber".

She said that would be accepted by some but "strongly resisted" by others.

"This is something the House has only just started to grasp," Ms Burke told MPs.

"If the House wishes to come to a more considered view on this matter, it may wish to use the avenues available to it, such as asking the Procedure Committee to address the question of tweeting or sending other forms of public communication from the chamber.

"Members are reminded that any comments made on social media, even if made from the chamber precincts, are not covered by parliamentary privilege."

The review is expected to be ticked off by the Speaker and Clerk on Thursday and MPs will be allowed a say on the issue.