Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to his Written Answer on 6 March (HL5909), in what circumstances would it be necessary for a member to declare their membership of the Freemasons.

The Code of Conduct states that members must declare “any interest which is a relevant interest in the context of the debate or the matter under discussion”. The test of relevant interest is “whether a reasonable member of the public” might think that the “member’s actions in Parliament will be influenced by the interest”. Members must decide whether to declare an interest on a case-by-case basis. The Registrar of Lords’ Interests is available to advise in case of doubt, and a member who acts on the Registrar’s advice in determining what is a relevant interest fully satisfies the requirements of the Code of Conduct in that regard.