MP calls for crackdown on lobbyists Registration is an important step in the right direction. David Cameron has previously said that commercial lobbying was "the next big scandal waiting to happen." He said it had "tainted our politics for too long" and was "an issue that exposes the far-too-cosy relationship between politics, government, business and money." Under Mr Docherty's proposals , lobbyists would not be allowed to hold passes granting access to Parliament "other than as a spouse or civil partner of a member or former member of either House of Parliament." Mr Docherty's Bill went further than Government proposals for a register, which would only apply to lobbying firms rather than in-house public affairs professionals within companies or charities. Last year the Public Administration Select Committee warned that the Government proposals for a statutory register would do little to improve transparency and may cover less than 1 per cent of ministerial meetings. "A register for its own sake doesn't do anything," Mr Docherty added. If there are no offences that can be charged against people on the register, if there are no rules of behaviour, then it is a pointless register. A register by itself is a waste of everyone's time and money. Mr Docherty also urged John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, to investigate the issuing of passes by peers to lobbyists. "There is a broader issue about members of the House of Lords handing out passes, ostensibly for research purposes, to outside organisations who are then using their access to come down to the House of Commons to hand out materials and to try to catch members of the House of Commons without appointments," he added. Chloe Smith, the Cabinet Office Minister, said the Government was committed to bringing in a register of lobbyists. She said that when lobbyists meet ministers it is not always clear who they represent. Ms Smith said: "The Government received a large response to its consultation. That large response from the public does show how important this issue is and why we are working hard to get our proposals right. Following that consultation, we are currently taking stock. The evidence from the consultation and the report from the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee will allow us to develop the statutory register in a way that increases transparency, while ensuring equal treatment of all parties and not placing disproportionate burdens on those affected. Following Ms Smith's comments, Mr Docherty withdrew his Bill.