Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Core Concepts Communications not made in return for payment
14.Paragraph 5 of the schedule provides that a communication made by an individual who is not making it in return for payment is not lobbying. The provision means no requirement under the Act to register or submit returns of lobbying activity is triggered by voluntarily made communications with an MSP, a member of the Scottish Government, a junior Scottish Minister, special adviser or the permanent secretary of the Scottish Government.
15.Paragraph 6(a) of the schedule provides that for the purposes of paragraph 5 a communication made by an individual as an employee or in another capacity mentioned in section 1(1)(b) is made in return for payment if the individual receives payment in that capacity regardless of whether the payment relates to making communications.
16.Paragraph 6(b) of the schedule defines “payment” for the purposes of paragraph 5. In particular it means payment of any kind (e.g. payment of salary) but does not include reimbursement for travel, subsistence or other reasonable expenses related to the making of the communication.