HC Deb 14 November 1944 vol 404 cc1766-7
3. Professor Savory

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, whether he will give instructions that the Union Jack shall in future be flown over the office of the United Kingdom representative in Dublin, seeing that the Sinn Fein flag is flown over the office of the High Commissioner for Eire in London and the swastika flag over the German Legation in Dublin.

Mr. Emrys-Evans

As the House is aware, it has not hitherto been the practice to fly a flag from the office of the United Kingdom representative in Dublin. The attitude adopted by the Eire Government towards the war and the fact that enemy representatives in Dublin are in a position to fly their national flags clearly raise special considerations in this case. My noble Friend, however, on re-examining the question, feels that these con- siderations do not justify a departure from the normal practice obtaining in the Commonwealth. The Union Jack will accordingly be flown in future from the office of the United Kingdom representative on appropriate occasions.

Professor Savory

Has not the Union Jack always flown from the offices of all our representatives in the other Dominions?

Mr. Emrys-Evans

Yes, Sir; but, as I have pointed out, certain special considerations exist in this particular case.

Mr. Molson

What special considerations?

Mr. Emrys-Evans

The special considerations are the position of Eire as part of the British Commonwealth yet acting as a neutral. In any case, the flag is going to be flown.