Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their reason for replacing the Union Jack flag flying above His Majesty's Treasury with a flag to celebrate Gay Pride.

Following instruction from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the government department responsible for informing other departments regarding flag flying protocol), for the assigned period the flag in recognition of Pride month was flown over 100 Parliament Street. This is the official and principal address and entrance for the following Departments:

• HM Revenue and Customs

• Department of Culture, Media and Sport

• Department of Science, Innovation and Technology

The Union Flag was flown during the same period at 1 Horse Guards Road, the official and principal address and entrance for the following Departments:

• HM Treasury

• UK Export Finance

• Northern Ireland Office

• Cabinet Office

This has been confirmed with the operatives who manage the flags process for designated flying days.