HC Deb 24 March 1959 vol 602 cc1097-8
5. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Minister of Works whether he will ensure that the Union flag on the Victoria Tower of the Palace of Westminster is reasonably clean and is flown close up and not slightly dipped as on several recent occasions.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

Yes, Sir. The standing instructions are that flags are to be changed as necessary for cleaning and repair. The flag is hoisted close up in the morning and if, owing to weather conditions, it dips during the day, this is attended to.

Mr. Bell

Will my hon. Friend explain why the flag is often extremely

sarily aggressive about this. Having done his homework, he surely knows on how many new buildings work has started. That is a perfectly simple question.

Mr. Molson

Five hundred and sixty-six.

Following is the information:

dirty and dipped below the truck? Will he consider having the flag washed with soap and water at frequent intervals?

Mr. Nicholls

I think that it was just unfortunate that my hon. Friend looked up on these particular days.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Is not the real reason that the Government have dragged it in the mud?