Culture Media and Sport written question – answered at on 10 June 2008.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on promoting St. George's Day in each of the last five years.
The Department promoted St. George's Day by flying the St. George's flag on
The estimated spend in the last five years is as follows:
Estimated spend (£) | |
2004(1) | 0 |
2005(1) | 0 |
2006(1) | 0 |
2007 | 114 |
2008 | 116 |
(1 )The Department did not fly the St. George's flag until 2007. |
Yes1 person thinks so
No1 person thinks not
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Annotations
Ian Campbell
Posted on 11 Jun 2008 11:43 am (Report this annotation)
Haven't you overlooked something important here, Minister? You belatedly started flying the flag in 2007. Why so long?
Englishness is an important component of Britishness - perhaps the most important component. Yet you overlooked an opportunity to promote an occasion when all of the people of England, of whatever background, colour or religion, can get together.
Perhaps you would kindly state what you are doing next year - at least to match what the Scottish Parliament spends promoting St Andrew's Day?
Otherwise the English might start to think you care nothing for their culture, interests or well-being. Would they be right? You also failed to give any backing, I understand, to the recent English Music Festival in Oxfordshire. With Ministers like these.....
John Buckeridge
Posted on 11 Jun 2008 5:08 pm (Report this annotation)
Scotland has its own reasons for promoting St. Andrews Day. Following their example in England would only lead to a greater desire to break-up the Union, and therefore if there were to be a day to celebrate the country, it would be "British day" which I for one don't want. Besides, are you going to promote a St. David's day in Wales and St. Patrick in Northern Ireland, or oblige them to fly the cross of St George?