Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage private companies to fly the British flag for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

There is no law, only protocol, for the flying of flags. Individuals, local authorities and other organisations including private companies may fly the Union Flag whenever they wish.

I am delighted to support the flying of the Union Flag. Last year my department published guidance encouraging all UK Government buildings to fly the Union Flag every day, where their buildings have a working flagpole; and I am delighted to encourage, but cannot mandate, private companies to do the same.