HL Deb 03 February 2005 vol 669 c56WA
Lord Pendry

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which police authorities are continuing to administer registration schemes for freemasons within their ranks: and [HL823]

How many officers in the Greater Manchester Police Authority have declared themselves freemasons: and [HL824]

In view of their agreement to the recommendation of the Home Affairs Select Committee that the membership of secret societies should be declared and that there should be a public register (First Special Report, 1997–98, HC 577), what progress has been made with the implementation of that recommendation. [HL825]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Voluntary arrangements for the declaration of freemasonry membership were established for the police service in 1999. There is no statutory basis for the registers which are held internally by forces. We do not monitor centrally which forces continue to administer such registers.