§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on which Government buildings the Union Flag was flown on 2 June; and how many of these buildings are under(a) his direct control and (b) the control of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [125544]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe responsibility for flying the Union Flag rests with the department which has the main occupancy of each building and where that building has a flagpole. The Union Flag was flown on 2 June at Hillsborough Castle, Maghaberry, the Prison Service College, Maze and Magilligan. It was not practical to fly the flag at the YOC on that date due to defective equipment which has since been replaced. Following restoration of the political institutions on 30 May, the provision of details concerning the flying of flags on other public buildings on 2 June is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.