Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning permission provisions apply to the flying of flags of non-sovereign nations, with special reference to the City of Westminster; what is his policy on this matter; what payment has to be made with a planning application to fly such a flag; and if he will make a statement. [18082]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordProvisions in schedule 2 (class I) to the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 effectively enable the national flag of any country to be displayed in England and Wales, provided the flag is on a single, vertical flagstaff and there is no advertisement or subject matter additional to the flag's design. If these conditions are fulfilled, no application for planning permission or advertisement consent is required to fly a national flag. No special provisions apply in the City of Westminster.
My right hon. Friend has no proposals to amend these provisions.