Written question asked by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party) on Tuesday, 14 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 February 2006. It was answered by Shaun Woodward (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Police

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements there are for monitoring membership of (a) loyal orders and (b) the Freemasons in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Answer: The chief constable is under a statutory obligation to require each police officer to inform him of any notifiable membership in accordance with Section 51(5) of the Police (NI) Act 2000, or indeed if he believes he has no notifiable membership, of that belief. Section 51(2) makes provision for the chief constable to give guidance to officers whose membership of certain organisations may be regarded as affecting their impartiality. This guidance provides a list of organisations for which membership must be notified.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 443 c379-80W;443 c379-80W; 53205
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Freemasonry Northern Ireland Police Police Service of Northern Ireland Orange Order
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk