Commercial Lobbyists (Registration and Code of Conduct) Bill

Jonathan Edwards Excerpts

Friday 1st February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Thomas Docherty]

I am surprised that Ministers are reluctant to have a code of conduct, and I hope the Minister responding to this debate will set out why they are reluctant. The hon. Gentleman is right that it would be helpful to have a code of conduct. If it helps provide reassurance, perhaps I should give a guarantee that I would bring forward a draft code of conduct prior to any Committee stage of this Bill.

[Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) (PC)]

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on introducing this Bill. Does any other country have the kind of lobbying code of conduct that he wants to see implemented here?

[Thomas Docherty]

Is the hon. Gentleman asking about codes on a statutory, rather than a voluntary, footing?

[Jonathan Edwards]

indicated assent.

[Thomas Docherty]

There is already a voluntary code for the Association of Professional Political Consultants and for the UK Public Affairs Council, and I understand that a number of countries around the world have codes of conduct. Perhaps it will be helpful if I write to the hon. Gentleman after this short debate, sending him a full list. He raises the valid point that this is not a ground-breaking revolutionary idea.