The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 requires a person carrying out lobbying activities to register and submit returns of such activity. The obligation to register and submit returns rests with the person lobbying, not the Designated Public Official. The returns register is publicly available to view and records relevant communication between a registered person and a Designated Public Official.
There is no obligation or facility under the Regulation of Lobbying Act for Designated Public Officials to record calls from lobbyists. However it is standard procedure within my Department, and in line with good practice as set out in the Register of Lobbying’s published Guidance for Designated Public Officials, to note important communications regarding official business.