Peers have given lobbyists and industry representatives unfettered access to the Houses of Parliament.

The first register of passes reveals that a series of companies have representatives who can gain access to Parliament, including BP, the Professional Footballers’ Association and BUPA.

The passes, intended to be used by secretaries and researchers, allow lobbyists to mingle with ministers and MPs, use the bars and restaurants to impress clients, gain access to the research services of the parliamentary library and avoid the lengthy security queues.

The disclosure comes nearly a year after The Times obtained a list under the Freedom of Information Act and revealed that some peers took money from companies whose employees were given passes.

Yesterday’s document revealed that Lord Leitch, a Labour peer who conducted a review on skills for Gordon Brown, gives a pass to the head of public policy at BUPA. Lord Leitch is the non-executive chairman of the company.

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