Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether Tower Hill hospital, Armagh city hospital, health and social services offices, the Mall, Armagh, and the Agriculture Department offices, The Mall, Armagh, are in possession of standing instructions for the flying of the Union flag on all appropriate dates; why the Union flag was not flown at these four public buildings on 25 December 1987; whether the flying of the Union flag in Armagh city has been discussed at the Anglo-Irish ministerial conference; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThe requirement to fly the Union flag on those prescribed dates relevant to Northern Ireland applies only to central Government offices. There is no requirement therefore for it to be flown on Tower Hill hospital, Armagh city hospital and the Southern health and social services offices in the Mall in Armagh. Due to an oversight the Department of Agriculture Drainage Office in the Mall, Armagh, did not fly the Union flag on 25 December 1987. The Department has reminded its staff of the requirement.
As to the right hon. Gentleman's question about the Intergovernmental Conference, joint statements issued after each meeting, copies of which are placed in the Library, set out matters that have been discussed. We do not make public any further details of conference proceedings.