The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), the largest association for public affairs and public relations professionals in Europe, have responded to the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill released today, praising it in part for acknowledging some of the perceived failures of the Westminster Lobbying Register.
Francis Ingham MPRCA, PRCA Director General, said: “We welcome the inclusion of in-house professionals - an estimated 80% of our industry - and it is a clear sign that Holyrood has learnt from some of Westminster’s mistakes.
“Alongside this, it will apply to all MSPs rather than simply Ministers.
“We cannot, however, ignore the issues which are present. Our industry believes in a Register which covers anyone influencing government or advising others how to influence government, rather than simply defining it as oral communication. This is an improvement on Westminster’s legislation, but it falls short of the industry’s own voluntary disclosure. Civil servants, for instance, remain completely omitted from the scope.
“The proposals it lays out for the practical upkeep of the Register, the independence of those running it, and the establishment of a statutory code of conduct which risks undermining the industry’s own codes are all points of concern. We will work closely with all those involved during this process to ensure the industry is heard.
“This Bill is a mixed bag: we welcome the clear understanding of the faults of Westminster’s Lobbying Act, but we will continue to campaign for wider legislation. It must go further to offer meaningful levels of disclosure and function as an effective Register of lobbying in Scotland.”
The PRCA response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on Proposals for a Lobbying Bill in July 2015 can be read here, and their submission to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointment Committee’s inquiry into lobbying can be found here.