§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many members of the judiciary responded to his invitation to disclose membership of the freemasons; how many refused to respond; and how many have not yet responded. [59071]
§ Mr. HoonFollowing the Government's response to the Report of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Session 1996–97, on Freemasonry in the Police and the Judiciary, all serving members of the judiciary were invited by the Lord Chancellor to declare their Masonic status on a voluntary basis for the purpose of a Register. 5,290 questionnaires were distributed. As at 9 November, 5,033 office-holders had responded; of these, 64 had declined to disclose whether or not they are Freemasons. Replies are still coming in, but this left 257 outstanding.