The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill : first report of session 2013-14

The Committee's accepts the Leader of the House's assurance that the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill (HCB 97, 2013-14 (ISBN 9780215057969)) was never intended to capture the normal work of Members as Members. Nevertheless they consider the approach the Government has taken to drafting the definition of consultant lobbying is unsatisfactory. The Bill is unclear in its definition of consultant lobbying and, in particular, about the way in which its provisions would apply to Members. The sweeping powers to refine this definition delegated to the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists are unacceptable. It is perfectly possible that the courts and the Registrar of Consultant lobbyists will clarify that the definition does not extend so far. But primary legislation should be unambiguous about such matters. The difficulties about the way in which this legislation applies to Members of Parliament would be swept away if paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 was removed. It is necessary to make clear that Members' ordinary work is not caught by the Bill. A new subparagraph should be added to paragraph 6, stating that a reference to payment does not include a reference to the salary an MP receives as a Member of the House of Commons