PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRMS AND TRANSPARENCY

That this House believes that public affairs firms have a key role to play in articulating the point of view of business, charities, trade unions and public bodies to Government and Parliament; believes that political lobbying must always be open and transparent; welcomes in this regard the codes of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) and Public Relations Consultations Association (PRCA), which insist that public affairs firms publish the names of all clients and do not make payments to hon. Members and Peers; notes that the APPC register is easily accessible on that Association's website and calls on the PRCA to adopt a similar practice; applauds the decision of Thames Gateway London Partnership to insist that agencies bidding for their public affairs contract must adhere to the ethical codes of the APPC; and calls on all public bodies and private firms to insert a similar clause in all lobbying contracts.