§ 60. Mr. Clayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from all chief constables about their policy on the membership of freemasons' lodges by members of their forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. The police regulations require police officers to abstain from any activity which is likely to interfere with the impartial discharge of their duties. It is for chief officers of police to determine whether guidance should be issued to their forces on the extent to which membership of a masonic lodge might be regarded 277W as conflicting with this statutory requirement. All chief officers of police have received copies of the guidance which was issued by the Metropolitan police.