§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate(a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day. [42299]
§ Malcolm WicksThere are certain days of the year known as "named days" when the Union flag must be flown from Government buildings. The days include St. David's day (in Wales), St. George's day (in England), St. Andrew's day (in Scotland) but not St. Patrick's day. In the Department for Work and Pensions there are no celebrations other than raising the Union flag.
Consideration is being given to the Union flag flying protocol for the Jubilee. The Union flag will fly on Coronation Day (2 June), as this is a named day.
I should also like to refer the hon. Member to the reply the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 58–59W. In the Department for Work and Pensions all staff will be given the additional public holiday on 3 June 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee.