Oral Answers to Questions — Industry, Trade and Regional Development – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Mehefin 1964.
Mr Charles Fletcher-Cooke
, Darwen
12:00,
11 Mehefin 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development which flags are to fly from the five flagpoles outside the new Board of Trade building.
Mr Edward Du Cann
, Taunton
On official flag flying days the Union Jack will fly from the centre flagpoles and the Board of Trade house flag from the two outside ones, apart from St. George's Day when the St. George's Cross will be flown from one of the poles.
Mr Charles Fletcher-Cooke
, Darwen
Is my hon. Friend aware that, since I tabled this Question, five rather unconvincing Union Jacks have been run up on these poles? What was the original purpose behind these five poles? Why five? Why not six or seven? What was the original idea?
Mr Edward Du Cann
, Taunton
First, I find nothing unconvincing at any time about the Union Jack. I am sure that my hon. and learned Friend does not either. Secondly, the flagpoles and, indeed, the whole design of the building were not arranged by the Government. The design was arranged by a very well known company. When the Board of Trade arrived in its new home, we found the five flagpoles there, and I was pleased to see them.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
Since the Chairman of I.C.I. has said that we can shortly look forward to Russia being one of its most important customers, would it not be appropriate to have the hammer and sickle there?
Mr Michael Maitland Stewart
, Fulham
The Minister of State said that he found nothing unconvincing about the Union Jack. Will he explain that to those of his hon. Friends who always attack the nationalised industries?
Sir Harry Hylton-Foster
, Cities of London and Westminster
Not even with all possible ingenuity.
Mr Jon Rankin
, Glasgow Govan
The hon. Gentleman said that there were five flagpoles, but he is using only three flags. Could he find a spot for St. Andrew's Cross, the most important of all?
Mr Edward Du Cann
, Taunton
I am glad to have an opportunity to say a word about this. The usual practice is for the flag of St. George to be flown in England on all Government buildings on St. George's Day, on St. David's Day for the particular national flag of Wales to be flown in Wales, and on St. Andrew's Day for the particular national flag of Scotland to be flown in Scotland. It may have escaped the hon. Gentleman's attention—I know how occupied he is with Scottish affairs—that London is in England and the Board of Trade head office is in London.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
