By Jolyon Kimble

A POLL conducted for Public Affairs News has found that 76 per cent of government MPs favour a compulsory register for lobbyists.

Respondents were asked whether they would support or oppose a compulsory register for lobbyists.

Andrew Hawkins, CEO of Communicate Research, said the findings were “extraordinary”.

“It’s worth bearing in mind that the survey was conducted before the Abramoff scandal  hit the headlines,” he said. “Given that fact, it’s extraordinary that 76% of MPs representing the party in Government would support a compulsory register for lobbyists.”

MPs were also asked whether a consultancy that joins the APPC was likely to be more favourably regarded by MPs.

The results were positive for the Association. “The APPC clearly is regarded in a favourable light by most MPs,” said Hawkins.? “When we exclude those who don’t have a view, the proportion of MPs who consider APPC membership to place a consultancy in a good light among their colleagues rises to over 70 per cent.”

APPC chair Gill Morris described the findings as an “excellent result”.