Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if a Union Flag has been provided to the Ulster hospital, Dundonald; if the Ulster hospital has been provided with the dates for flying the Union flag; if the Union flag was flown at this hospital on Commonwealth day; if the person responsible for flying the Union flag at the Ulster hospital is prepared to carry out this duty; and if he will make a statement. [20506]
§ Mr. Moss[holding answer 17 March 1997]: The Ulster, North Down and Ards hospital health and social services trust has confirmed that it owns a Union flag and that it was flying on 6 February 1997, Commonwealth Day. However, the trust has advised that the flag was wrapped round the flag pole and had to be unwrapped by a member of staff once the wind died down. 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 same. 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 its staff.
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