N A Pannell was the Conservative MP for Liverpool Kirkdale from 1955 until 1963

 

Sir,

As we approach St. George's Day it is well to recall that until 1959 the flag of St. George was not flown from Government buildings.  It was a campaign led by (Kirkdale) MP, that led the Queen to be "graciously pleased to approve" the recommendation of former Home Secretary R.A.B. Butler that it be flown alongside the Union flag on St. George's Day. 

Until then there were no flagpoles above Government buildings in England to hoist it upon.

Mr. Pannell told the Times on August 20th 1959, "It was a matter of considerable resentment that although flags are flown from public buildings in Scotland on St. Andrew's day and Wales on St. David's day, there was no provision in England for St. George's day.

There had earlier been a wry exchange in the house on 14th May 1959.  Mr. Pannell asked the Prime Minister, of the day, Harold Macmillan, "If he would declare St. George's Day an appointed day for the purpose of the flag being flown over Government buildings."

Macmillan replied that "If there is a general feeling for the change suggested in England, I will certainly consider it."

Pannell asked if he aware that the respective national flags were flown above Government buildings on saints' days in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  Despite his own Scottish ancestry would the PM purge his mind of prejudice and concede that flags should be flown from Government buildings in London which is the capital of England on St. Georges' Day. 

Macmillan responded, "Yes, Sir, I will try to bring to it a more objective point of view than my English predecessors."

David Hamilton