Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 26 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 October 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 October 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to introduce restrictions upon practicising freemasons in (a) the police, (b) the judiciary and (c) his Department.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce restrictions upon practising freemasons in (a) the police, (b) the judiciary and (c) his Department. [135916] Mr. Charles Clarke: The Government have introduced voluntary registration of freemasonry membership in the judiciary and magistracy, the Crown Prosecution Service, the police service, and the prison and probation services. As the response rate to the voluntary registration scheme in the police service was too low to meet the Government's aim of having reasonable public transparency in this area, I am consulting the police service about how a more acceptable response rate can be achieved.

Secondary information