HC Deb 18 February 1997 vol 290 cc499-500W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Union flag was not flown on 6 February at the offices of the Southern area health board, the Mall, Armagh city; what proposals there are to provide a new Union flag for this building; if the schedule of dates for flying the Union flag has been advised to the staff; if the person responsible was prepared to carry out this duty; and if he will make a statement. [15571]

Sir John Wheeler

The Armagh and Dungannon health and social services trust has advised that failure to fly the Union flag on 6 February was an oversight on its part. Action has been taken to purchase a new Union flag. The schedule of the dates for flying the Union flag has been advised to staff and the person responsible for carrying out this duty has no difficulty in fulfilling it. However, there is no requirement for the trusts to fly the Union flag on these dates, and it is at the discretion of each organisation whether the flag should be flown on those buildings occupied by their staff.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Union flag was not flown on 6 February at the headquarters of the Southern area health board, Tower hill, Armagh city; if a Union flag has been provided for this public building; if the schedule of dates for flying the Union flag has been advised to the staff; if the person responsible was prepared to carry out this duty; and if he will make a statement. [15570]

Mr. Moss

A letter was sent to all health and social services boards on 18 November 1966 advising them of the days in 1997 on which the Union flag should be flown on central Government buildings. There is, however no requirement for the boards to fly the Union flag on these dates. It is at the discretion of each organisation whether the flag should be flown on those buildings occupied by their staff. A Union flag has been provided for the headquarters for the Southern health and social services board, Tower hill, Armagh. However, the Southern health and social services board decided to use its discretion and not fly the Union flag on its headquarters building at Tower hill on 6 February 1997.