§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to all local authorities in England recommending that they keep a register of councillors' interests that indicates whether such councillors are members of closed or secret societies from which they may derive pecuniary interest, influence or benefit.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life endorsed the earlier proposal by the Prime Minister's Committee on Local Government Rules of Conduct for a compulsory register of councillors' pecuniary interests. The Government are considering that recommendation.
In July 1974 we asked local authorities to consider the report of the Prime Minister's Committee and some of them subsequently established registers of councillors' interests. We will consider issuing a further circular to local authorities on this matter when we have decided on the Royal Commission's recommendation.