Copyright 2001 The Scotsman Publications Ltd.
The Scotsman
March 1, 2001, Thursday
SECTION: Pg. 11
LENGTH: 359 words
HEADLINE: ACADEMICS CALL FOR LOBBY GROUPS TO BE REGULATED
BYLINE: John Innes
BODY:
LEADING academics have said groups who lobby the Scottish parliament should be strictly regulated to ward off accusations of sleaze.
Members of Stirling University's media research institute said registering lobbyists would ensure the parliamentary process was more "transparent and open" and ensure the highest ethical standards.
Professor Philip Schlesinger and William Dinan, giving evidence before the Scottish parliament's standards committee, said all groups who sought to influence the decision-making process should be regulated and money spent on lobbying campaigns disclosed.
Prof Schlesinger rejected claims from the SNP's Tricia Marwick that a voluntary code of conduct for lobbyists would be preferable to a set of strict regulations laid down by parliament. He said an open register of the activities of lobbying firms would stop the public being suspicious of the way the political system works.
He said: "We are dismayed by the lack of trust in the political system. Almost every week there are implications about how ministers conduct themselves and unless the public is broadly convinced that there are a set of clear-cut rules, that lack of trust is only going to increase." Prof Schlesinger also dismissed fears that forcing lobby firms to be regulated would create an elite of registered lobbyists and prevent smaller groups from taking their cases to parliament.
However, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, who regularly lobby parliament on behalf of members, are opposed to registration. Corrie McChord, COSLA's social inclusion spokesman, said a new system would lead to greater confusion and put a barrier between COSLA and the parliament: "We take the view that statutory regulation might undermine to some degree the general principle of open parliamentary access. We would be concerned that access to the government would be restricted to professional lobbyists."
Philippa Bonella of the SCVO fears small community groups may become intimidated by a registration system and decide not to pursue their cases as a result.
LOAD-DATE: March 3, 2001