, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 3
John.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 3
That leads me nicely into my next area of questioning, actually, because interpretation of the legislation is so important, isn't it? So, could you talk us through any pointers there that you would have about clear guidance to make sure that people can…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 3
Thank you. And what would you say have been the main challenges that you've faced in Westminster with establishing and maintaining the register?
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 3
Thank you, Harry. If I can start by asking how many lobbyists you actually have on the register.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 3
Welcome back to this meeting of the Standards of Conduct Committee. I'd like to welcome our final witness for this morning, Harry Rich, who is registrar of consultant lobbyists in Westminster. Welcome, Harry, to the meeting. I believe that you'd like to give…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
We'll take a short break now. We've another three minutes before we resume for our final session.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Thank you, John, and thank you, Mr Murray, for attending this morning. It's been a really useful and informative session. I'm sure I speak for all Members when I say that we've got a lot out of it, so thank you very much indeed. And just to say that a copy of…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Okay. Thank you, Pred. I'll bring John in now.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Okay. Pred.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Okay. Thank you. I'll bring in Natasha now, then.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Thank you. I'm conscious of time. We've only got a few minutes left, and I know that my colleagues have lots of other questions also. You mentioned there about the county councillors, and that was an aspect that really intrigued me. I don't think there are…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Thanks, Peredur. Could I ask what challenges you have faced in establishing and maintaining the registers? What have been the main challenges?
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Thank you very much.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 2
Welcome back to this meeting of the Standards of Conduct Committee. For our next evidence session, I would like to welcome our witness, Anthony Murray, who is the assistant principal in the lobbying regulation unit in Ireland. So, welcome to the meeting, and…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you, both, for attending this committee session. It's been very useful. Just to keep you informed, a copy of the transcript will be available as soon as possible and provided to you so that it can be checked for factual accuracy. So, thank you very…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you, John. I'll just check if any other Members have any follow-up questions for Mr McLaren and Mr Drummond. No, it looks like everyone's happy—. We have a question from our legal adviser, Mr Carpanini.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you. I'll bring John in now.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you. Before we move on, I've just got a quick question. I know there are three separate categories of person on the Scotland lobbying register, and I'm just looking for a little bit more information about voluntary registrants. If you could talk us…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Okay. Thank you. I'll bring Peredur in now, then.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Okay. Thank you. And would that process work the same for backbench Members as well, that you would look at their diaries every three months also?
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Before we move on, if I could just pick up on one of the points that you made there. You said that you can access Ministers' diaries. Could you just talk us through that in a bit more detail? Is it something you have done, or how does that actually work?…
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thanks, Peredur. Natasha.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you, both. Natasha, I think you'd like to come in now. Yes.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thanks. I'll bring John in here.
, Standards of Conduct Committee
Inquiry into Lobbying: Evidence Session 1
Thank you. Related to that, how important do you feel it is to issue clear guidance on the interpretation of the legislation, and would you direct that just to lobbyists, or to politicians and their offices as well?
