REGULATION OF THE LOBBYING PROFESSION

Early day motion 457, tabled 12 July 2010 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House welcomes the commitment by the Coalition Government to introduce a statutory register of political lobbyists; notes that a recent ComRes survey finds that such an approach would have the support of 62 per cent. of lobbyists; expresses its concern, however, that unless underpinned by a statutory code of ethical practice to which registrants would have to adhere, the implied credibility of statutory registration could be enjoyed by practitioners who do not act ethically and who indeed may even breach the law; observes that such a situation would be completely unacceptable; and urges the Government to ensure that from the moment of its introduction the registration process includes a specific obligation to comply with statutory ethical principles.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.