Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Carswell Excerpts
Tuesday 4th June 2013

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chloe Smith Portrait Miss Smith
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The aim of any reform in this area must, I think, be to ensure that the activities of outside organisations are transparent to the general public and accountable. As we have said throughout the process, it is important that we get this right. We will announce more details in the coming weeks. The hon. Lady will be aware from the proposals already put forward that the intention is to regulate third-party lobbyists. Let us not forget what this is for: it is about knowing who is lobbying and on behalf of whom.

Douglas Carswell Portrait Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con)
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In order to tackle some of these concerns, the suggestion has been made that we should have a right of recall. Will the Minister confirm that a right of recall would include a recall ballot, so that instead of leaving it to a committee of grandees in Westminster to decide an MP’s future, constituents would have the chance for a final say?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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That is very wide, but we will have a brief reply from the Minister and then move on.