Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Thursday, 9 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 March 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 March 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his Answer of 21st February 2000, 344 c738W, to the honourable Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, on Masonic organisations, if the act of administering an oath to a Loyal Orange Lodge or allowing an oath to be administered on his Department's premises or property is considered be among those actions that encourage or promote membership of a secretive organisation for the purposes of the Joint Service Defence Council Instruction on Membership of Organisations such as the Freemasons. - Will write.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer of 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 738W, to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on Masonic organisations, if the act of administering an oath to a Loyal Orange Lodge or allowing an oath to be administered on his Department's premises or property is considered to be among those actions that encourage or promote membership of a secretive organisation for the purposes of the Joint Service Defence Council Instruction on Membership of Organisations such as the Freemasons. [114648] Mr. Spellar: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 346 c204W; 114648
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Freemasonry Oaths and affirmations Ministry of Defence Secret societies