Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 March 2001. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 12 March 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 8th February 2001, 362 c631W, on the Joint Service Defence Council, what factors led him to authorise the withdrawal of JS DC1 88/00.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2001, Official Report, column 631W, on the Joint Service Defence Council, what factors led him to authorise the withdrawal of JS DC1 88/00. [152852] Mr. Spellar: I authorised the temporary withdrawal of Joint Service Defence Council instruction 88/00, pending a review, as a result of concerns that the Ministry of Defence's policy towards membership of societies such as the Freemasons might not be fully compliant with the European convention on human rights.

Secondary information