Register of lobbyists will shine light on influence However, the consultation document states that the "normal flow of communication between business and government" should not be covered by the new register. MPs" communications with their constituents would also be excluded, which may provide a loophole in the rules. Only those who "lobby on behalf of third parties" would have to register, although the consultation paper asks whether in-house lobbyists employed by companies should also be included. Lobbyists would have to pay to register to cover the costs of operating the scheme. The consultation highlights American laws for lobbyists, which punish those not declaring their interests with a maximum fine of $200,000 (£130,000) or five years in prison. The Australian system, under which lobbyists found to have broken the rules are banned from government meetings, is also flagged up. Ministers are thought to favour a "mid way" system based on company registration laws. Under these rules, those making late or incorrect disclosures can be fined up to £5,000, while those deliberately making misleading declarations face up to two years in prison. The decision to push ahead with a register of lobbyists follows months of wrangling in Whitehall. It is unlikely to be introduced before 2013 to allow time for several months of consultation and the debating of new laws. At present, the lobbying industry runs a voluntary register. Ministers have to disclose official meetings with lobbyists but not encounters at social gatherings. David Cameron warned in 2010 that the lack of lobbying safeguards was "the next big scandal waiting to happen." He said it "has tainted our politics for too long, an issue that exposes the far-too-cosy relationship between politics, government, business and money." The Prime Minister promised to "shine the light of transparency" on lobbying so that politicians "come clean about who is buying power and influence." Jack Dromey, the Labour MP, was yesterday found to have breached Commons rules after he failed to register almost £30,000 in payments from the Unite trade union. He apologised "unreservedly" to MPs.