Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill

Simon Hughes Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Tom Brake]

I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention.

[Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)]

Some of us are very pleased that the Government are introducing a Bill to deal with transparency of lobbying, which the previous Government never did. There has been an enormous amount of hype and overstatement, but perhaps some improvements could be and need to be made. May I have a clear undertaking that next week’s Committee stage will be open to amendments from across the House, including from relevant Select Committees with an interest in and knowledge of the subject?

[Tom Brake]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that intervention. Clearly, the Government have stated on a number of occasions that we are very keen to work with charities, non-governmental organisations and, indeed, Select Committees to ensure that their views are taken into account. That is very much our intention. We also want to ensure that the issue of parliamentarians and the role we play will be clarified very clearly in relation to this Bill.