§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the last prosecution was brought for an offence under the Flags and Emblems (Display) Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 and whether they will list the other powers and provisions that exist to control offences and breaches of the peace covered by the Act.
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)No prosecutions have been brought in the 14 years since 1969 for which records are available. There are no other specific powers to prevent interference by force with the display of the Union flag, nor to enable a police officer to remove a provocative emblem. However Section 3 of the Public Order Act (Northern Ireland) 1951 deals generally with displays likely to cause a breach of the peace.