HC Deb 13 June 1977 vol 933 cc32-3W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions are given to British embassies abroad concerning the flying of the Union Jack on embassy buildings.

Mr. Tomlinson

The proper flag to be displayed at British embassies is the British diplomatic flag; only at Commonwealth posts is the Union flag flown. The flag is flown at the Chancery building on all working days during office hours. Other flags—for example, the flag at the Ambassador's residence—are flown only on days of local celebration or mourning, on British anniversaries, and on other days when, by command of Her Majesty the Queen, flags are to be flown. Her Majesty's representatives have discretion to depart from these rules where local conditions and practice makes it undesirable to follow them.