§ Q1. Mr. Edelmanasked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation requiring all individuals or bodies professionally concerned with the promotion or advocacy of Parliamentary measures to register at the beginning of each Parliamentary Session as lobbyists.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs the Prime Minister aware of the United States legislation on 412 pressure groups? Is he further aware of the resolution of this House of 1858 condemning in certain instances the advocacy of Parliamentary Measures for reward? In those circumstances, will he not set up a Select Committee to inquire into the whole relationship between pressure groups and public relations men and the House?
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware of those matters and I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to them. But I think that Members can well look after themselves.
Mr. H. WilsonIs not the right hon Gentleman aware of the growing practice of some overseas Governments, including the Central African Federation, Spain and Portugal, and a number of other Governments, with whom we are quite prepared to deal as Governments, of employing paid representatives and putting pressure both on the Press and on Parliament? Does he not think that this is highly undesirable, and would it not be a help to hon. Members in looking after themselves if we knew who these people were and if they were registered lobbyists so that we knew what interests they had to declare? Would he look into the matter further, and, in the course of it, would he look into the use of private dining rooms downstairs?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly look further into the points which the Leader of the Opposition has mentioned, but I do not wish to add to my reply at the moment.