§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what days of each year it is(a) required and (b) permitted for the Union flag to be flown from (i) Government buildings, (ii) headquarters of public bodies, (iii) RUC stations and (iv) schools. [94662]
§ Mr. IngramThe Union Flag is required to be flown on Government buildings in Northern Ireland on 20 days during the year. The days on which the Flag is flown are as follows:
- New Years Day: 1 January
- Her Majesty's Accession: 6 February
- Birthday of The Duke of York: 19 February
- Commonwealth Day: 8 March (in 1999)
- Birthday of The Prince Edward: 10 March
- St. Patrick's Day: 17 March
- Easter Day: 4 April (in 1999)
- Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen: 21 April
- Europe Day: 9 May
- Coronation Day: 2 June
- Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh: 10 June
- The Queen's Official Birthday: 12 June (in 1999)
- Battle of the Boyne Anniversary: 12 July
- Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: 4 August
- Birthday of The Princess Royal: 15 August
- Birthday of The Princess Margaret: 21 August
- Remembrance Day: 14 November (in 1999)
- Birthday of The Prince of Wales: 14 November
- Anniversary of Her Majesty's Wedding: 20 November
- Christmas Day: 25 December.
There is no requirement for headquarters of public bodies, RUC stations or schools to fly the Union Flag on these days. It is entirely at the discretion of each public body, the Chief Constable and individual school authorities respectively to decide if and when the Flag should be flown on their buildings.