LEGISLATION to create a statutory register of lobbyists will be unveiled within weeks, Downing Street has said.

The Government will publish the bill before Parliament breaks for its summer recess on July 18 and wants to put it into law by next May, Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman said.

Under the proposals, any group paid to lobby for a third party would have to be registered, along with details of its clients.

Financial penalties would be imposed on any lobbyists refusing to take part, Downing Street said.

The bill will also include measures to end self-certification of union membership, forcing unions to carry out annual audits of their membership and giving a Certification Officer power to investigate – vital when strike ballots are called.

Today’s (Monday, June 3) announcement comes after two North-East peers were suspended from the Labour Party over claims they offered to carry out parliamentary work in return for cash.

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former Durham Police chief, and ex-cabinet minister Lord Cunningham, a former district councillor in Chester-le-Street, were caught by an undercover Sunday Times sting operation, along with Lord Laird, who has resigned the Ulster Unionist party whip.

The three are alleged to have told reporters posing as lobbyists representing a fake solar energy firm they could help push its agenda, an apparent breach of a ban on paid advocacy.

All three deny any wrongdoing. They are now being investigated by the House of Lords standards commissioner.

Lord Hill of Oareford, the leader of the House of Lords, described the allegations as “very serious and distressing”.

Darlington-born Lord Mackenzie says he did not break any rules and declined the fake offer, while Lord Cunningham says he told the undercover reporters he always sticks to the rules and declares his interests and he was testing his suspicions that he was being targeted by a scam.

The idea of a lobbyists register was included in the 2010 Coalition Agreement but the Government was criticised after it was left out of the Queen’s Speech.