A Consultation on Proposals for a Lobbying Transparency Bill: Analysis of Written Responses

Appendix 1: The Questions

Question 1 - Do you agree that the Government's three core principles are appropriate to inform the delivery of an effective and proportionate lobbying registration regime in Scotland?

Question 2 - Do you agree that a publicly available register of lobbyists should be introduced in Scotland?

Question 3 - Do you agree that no fee should be payable by lobbyists for registering or updating the register?

Question 4 - What are your views on whether the onus to register should lie with individuals who lobby as part of their work, or organisations who lobby?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 5 -Should both consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists be required to register?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 6 - Should any types of in-house lobbyist be exempt from registration?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 7 - Do you agree that the register should cover the lobbying of MSPs and Ministers?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 8 - What types of communication do you think should be covered by a statutory register?

Question 9 - Do you agree with the Government's view that paid lobbyists should be required to register?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 10 - Do you agree that the register should also allow for voluntary registration by lobbyists not required to register?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 11 - What are your views on what kind of information each lobbyist should be required to provide on registration?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 12 - How often should lobbyists be required to provide a return detailing their lobbying activity?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 13 - Do you agree that the Parliament should introduce a Code of Practice for lobbyists setting out guidance on the registration regime and expected standards of behaviour?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 14 - Do you agree that a register should include the facility for lobbyists to indicate if they already subscribe to any industry Codes of Conduct?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 15 - Do you have any views on the Committee's proposals for who should be responsible for upkeep and oversight of the Register?

Question 16 - Do you have any views on what enforcement mechanisms and sanctions should be available in connection with the registration regime?
Please provide reasons in support of your response.

Question 17 - Do you have any views on whether Parliament, by resolution, should be able to adjust the scope and operation of the registration regime once established?

Question 18 - Do you have any views on whether there could be impacts on equalities groups as a result of the proposals outlined?
Please draw on specific evidence and/or wider knowledge, experience and expertise.

Question 19 - Do you have any views on whether there could be any additional costs or other implications for businesses as a result of the proposals outlined?
Please draw on specific evidence and/or wider knowledge, experience and expertise.

Question 20 - Do you have any other comments on the general operation of a register of lobbyists, or on any of the proposals put forward by the Committee or the Government?