The Standards
Procedures and Public Appointments Committee invites your views on the Lobbying
(Scotland) Bill, in anticipation of its referral to the Committee.
The Bill was
introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 29 October 2015. The Bill and
accompanying documents are available on the Parliament’s website at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/93324.aspx
The purpose
of the Bill is to increase public transparency of the interactions between
lobbyists and elected representatives and Government Ministers.
The Bill
follows the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s recent
inquiry into lobbying, which culminated in a series of recommendations for the
establishment of a register of lobbying. All the documents associated with this
inquiry, including the report of the Committee’s findings can be found here:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/68068.aspx
According to
the Bill’s Policy Memorandum—
“The overarching
objective of the Bill is to introduce a measured and proportionate register of
lobbying activity. The register would then complement existing parliamentary
and governmental transparency mechanisms.”
“The
Government recognises the significance of public access to Parliament. One of
the Parliament's founding principles was that it should be "accessible,
open, responsive, and should develop procedures which make possible a
participative approach to the development, consideration and scrutiny of policy
and legislation.”
“The
Government is clear that provision on lobbying transparency should not infringe
on this principle, which it deems both essential and beneficial to policy
making in Scotland.”
What the
Committee would like your views on
The
Committee’s role at Stage 1 of the parliamentary process is to report to the
Parliament on the general principles of the Bill – that is, on its overall
purpose.
The
Committee invites you to answer some or all of the questions below to help it
in scrutinising the Bill. You do not have to answer all the questions.
General Principles
1. Do
you agree that the Bill is necessary and that the establishment of a Lobbying
Register is desirable?
2. How
will the Bill affect you or your organisation?
3. Registration
is triggered only when lobbying is being done in exchange for payment (either
as a consultant or an employee) and does not capture lobbying carried out in
the course of voluntary work or when it is done by an individual on his or her
own behalf. Do you agree with this approach?
4. Do
the provisions set out in the Bill succeed in striking a balance between capturing
information of value and ensuring that access and participation with the work
of Parliament and Government is not discouraged?
5. Do
you feel that the definitions and exclusions are sufficiently clear? Do they,
for example, allow individuals and organisations to easily know whether their
activity requires to be registered?
6. The
Bill’s Policy Memorandum states the Bill aims for a “light touch, educative
approach” and that “criminal offences and penalties [are] provided for as a
last resort”. What are your views on this approach?
7. Are
there any unforeseen consequences of the Bill as currently drafted?
8. Are
there any amendments that would, in your view, enhance the Bill?
The
Committee will also take account of the views expressed in response to its
initial inquiry and the Government’s consultation.
How to submit your views
The closing date for responses is 30 November 2015.
All responses should be sent to the Committee clerks at [email protected].
Alternatively, you may use the following address—
Clerk to the
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Room TG.01
The Scottish
Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
If you are making a submission in written format, we would
prefer to receive it in Microsoft Word.
Responses will be handled in accordance with the
Parliament’s policy for the treatment of evidence. This information is
available in various formats, including BSL video, on the Parliament’s website
at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/treatment-of-evidence
What happens next?
At the same time as gathering written responses to its
questions about the Bill, the Committee will be hearing from a number of
witnesses in person on 12 November 2015.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the Lobbying (Scotland) Bill
or how you can give your views on it, you can contact the Standards, Procedures
and Public Appointments Committee clerks by emailing [email protected] or
by calling 0131 348 5177. Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100.