Committee Chair urges Government to act on lobbying

“The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee published a report in July 2012 that looked in detail at the Government’s proposals for a statutory register of lobbyists.

“The Committee concluded that the Government’s proposal for a register that included only third-party lobbyists would do little to improve transparency about who is lobbying whom, because meetings involving such lobbyists constitute only a small part of the lobbying industry.   

“The report found that the Government’s proposals would only scratch the surface when it came to tackling public concern about undue access and influence over policy making, and would be unlikely to prevent lobbying from becoming ‘the next big political scandal.’  The Committee called on the Government to rethink their proposals, and in particular their definition of what constitutes a lobbyist.  I again urge the Government to consider carefully the Committee’s recommendations.  I look forward to receiving their full response.”