| Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill: House of Lords Paper 62 Session 2013-14 Contributor(s): The Stationery Office (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0108551393 ISBN-13: 9780108551390 Publisher: Stationery Office Books (TSO) OUR PRICE: $10.45 Product Type: Paperback Published: October 2013 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Law | Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice - Business & Economics | Business Communication - General |
| Physical Information: 9 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: In this report the Select Committee on the Constitution raises significant concerns about the content and handling of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill. The Bill, which regulates lobbying and sets rules on expenditure by persons or bodies other than political parties at elections, is due for its second reading in the Lords on 22 October. The report says that effective parliamentary scrutiny is of manifest importance for legislation of constitutional significance. The Committee questions whether the significant lowering of the cap on expenditure at general elections by third parties is justified, given the fundamental constitutional right to freedom of political expression. The Committee points to the lack of consultation by the Government on the proposals, including with the Electoral Commission, as well as the lack of clarity on how the changes will affect campaigning in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.There are also concerns about the narrow definition of lobbying in the bill, which excludes in-house lobbyists and covers only communications between professional consultant lobbyists and ministers or permanent secretaries. The House of Lords is encouraged to consider whether this definition is appropriate. |