The Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee has called for a register of lobbying to be established in a report published today.
The proposed register would increase transparency of lobbying activity around Parliament and Government, as well as making such information more accessible to the public.
The register, set in motion in May 2013 when Neil Findlay MSP lodged a final proposal for a member’s bill on the issue of lobbying, would cover “significant” lobbying activity where organisations have “sustained contact with politicians or… spent significant money employing staff to seek to influence MSPs”.
In the report, the SPPA Committee make 18 recommendations which they feel would make more information on lobbying activity public and make information as well as more accessible as part of the digital democracy movement.
It is further acknowledged that lobbying is a legitimate and valuable activity, which plays a “crucial part of a healthy democracy” despite the negative connotations sometimes attached to the words “lobbying” and “lobbyist”.
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“We are aware of the valuable contributions made by all sectors in Scotland and no proposals are being made that could impact on this.” The Scottish Government announced in June 2013 that it intended to legislate on the issue of lobbying and the Committee is recommending that the Government use its proposals as a basis for legislation. Stevenson continued: “Ever since it indicated it would legislate on lobbying, the Government has made clear the Parliament should have a central role in the policy development. The Committee is unanimous in recommending change, and its proposals have been consulted on to ensure they’re practical and not overly bureaucratic. “The proposals are also a deliberate departure from the approach taken in UK lobbying legislation. The Scottish register would go beyond details of the lobbyists; it would detail the lobbying activity taking place. It would also cover in-house lobbyists as opposed to singling out consultant lobbyists. We want organisations to register based on what they do not who they are.” |
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Committee Convener, Stewart Stevenson MSP, said of the report publication: “Lobbying is a legitimate, valuable and necessary part of a healthy democracy. The more voices that feed into the Parliament and Government the more informed we are in our decision making and scrutiny. But a Parliament founded on openness must seek to make clear who is lobbying, on what issues, and why.
Alastair Ross, Secretary of the Association for Scottish Public Affairs (ASPA), reacted to the publication of the report: “As the Committee heard from the Commissioner on Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland Stuart Allan, there’s no evidence of a lobbying problem so we’re not sure what a lobbying register will actually achieve. If this register shows just how much lobbying goes on, who does it, and how many meetings MSPs with lobbyists, that may just dispel some of the myths around lobbying.
“We’re pleased the Committee agrees that there should be no distinction between different types of lobbyists. Whether it’s a private company, a trade union, or a community campaign.
“ASPA members are responsible lobbyists – we have a code of conduct we operate to and we’re open and transparent, but we also have a duty to our employers or clients top respect their confidentiality. If a lobbying register requires us to divulge sensitive or private information, they you may find that people stop informing MSPs who are then left taking major decisions without the best possible knowledge.
“As the Committee says, MSPs need to be more informed when they are making decisions and lobbying’s legitimate, valuable and necessary part of a healthy democracy.
“We’ll look forward to seeing what the Scottish Government plans to do in response.”
Peter Duncan, Chairman of the APPC Scotland, commented: “We welcome the Committee's report, and believe that it forms a broadly sustainable basis for the legislation that the Scottish Government has indicated it wants to bring forward.”
"APPC are strong advocates of enhanced transparency and openness, but look for a completely level playing field in how Holyrood legislates on lobbying. Consultant lobbyists should have exactly the same asked of them as those who lobby Holyrood in charities, trade bodies, community campaigns and others. The Committees recommendations in this respect are a substantial step forward.”
PRCA Director General Francis Ingham commented: “Given that 80% of our industry is in-house, we welcome the fact the Committee has avoided the UK Government’s dire mistake and actually included them in their proposal. Holyrood is leading the way here and Westminster could learn a great deal” continuing that “While this is a sound opening gambit, there are flaws which must be corrected at the earliest possible opportunity…[including the fact that] it only covers MSPs completely ignores the great deal of work done with civil servants. That would be a fundamental misinterpretation of our industry.”