HL Deb 19 October 1998 vol 593 cc129-30WA
Lord Ashbourne

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to clarify the constitutional status of the Union Flag before its bicentenary in 2001. [HL3387]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

No. The Union Flag's status as the national flag of the United Kingdom was established by Royal Proclamations made at the time of the Union of the English and Scottish Crowns in 1606 and of the Union of Great Britain with Ireland in 1801. It is universally recognised as the emblem of the United Kingdom.