Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to require British embassies and consulates to fly the Union flag every day.

Our British Missions overseas use one of three flags depending on the status of the mission: Diplomatic flag (Embassies), Union flag (High Commissions and Consulates in Commonwealth countries) and Consular flag (non-Commonwealth Consulates). Where it is physically possible our British Missions are advised to fly the relevant flag on a superior flag pole. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office guidance advises that the flag should be flown at the Mission on working days, during office hours. Heads of Mission have discretion to fly the flag 24/7 where this is acceptable locally, saves resources and does not pose a security risk.