Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date was the most recent meeting of the Southern area health and social services board at which a decision was made on the flying of the Union flag at the Board headquarters in Armagh city. [12871]
§ Mr. WorthingtonA letter was sent to all Health and Social Services Boards on 1 May 1997 advising them of the days in 1997 on which the Union Flag should be flown on Central Government Buildings. There is, however no requirement for the Boards to fly the Union flag on these dates. It is at the discretion of each organisation whether the flag should be flown on those buildings occupied by their staff.
The issue of whether the Southern Health and Social Services Board should or should not fly the Union Flag has never been discussed at a meeting of the Board.