Flying of Flags & Removal of Union Flag

Summary

The requester asked for policy documents regarding flag flying on government buildings, the history of the Manx Flag, and reasons for the removal of the Union Flag. The Cabinet Office disclosed that it holds Government Circular 0013/2012 but refused to provide a copy because the document is already reasonably accessible online.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office holds Government Circular number 0013/2012 regarding flag flying instructions.
• The requested information was deemed already reasonably accessible to the public via the Tynwald website.
• The authority does not hold all the specific historical documents or design copies requested.
• Applicants were advised to contact the Clerk of Tynwald's Office or the Department of Infrastructure for further information.
• The request was closed on 15 July 2021.

Data Disclosed

• 1892577
• 2021-07-08
• 2021-07-15
• 0013/2012
• 1966
• 685500
• 850000

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

Please supply copies of policy documents outlining the flying of flags on Government building including former authorities which directed flying of the Union Flag. Please supply a copy of the original Manx Flag adoption design and any relevant Orders (possibly adopted in 1966?) Please supply copies of authorities that have over written the policy of flying the Union Flag on specific dates. Please supply information of why the Union Flag is no longer flown on any Government or Tynwald flag staff / pole. Please supply the policy / protocol / authority for flying the flag over Tynwald Hill and the exceptions for when Royalty are presiding over Tynwald.

Data Tables (3)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1892577 15 July 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8 July 2021 and which states:

"Please supply copies of policy documents outlining the flying of flags on Government building including former authorities which directed flying of the Union Flag. Please supply a copy of the original Manx Flag adoption design and any relevant Orders (possibly adopted in 1966?) Please supply copies of authorities that have over written the policy of flying the Union Flag on specific dates. Please supply information of why the Union Flag is no longer flown on any Government or Tynwald flag staff / pole. Please supply the policy / protocol / authority for flying the flag over Tynwald Hill and the exceptions for when Royalty are presiding over Tynwald." While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold some of the information that you have requested. The Cabinet Office holds a Government Circular number 0013/2012 regarding instructions for the flying of flags on or at Isle of Man Government buildings. Under section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. The information that you have requested is available online here: https://www.tynwald.org.im/links/tls/gc/2012/2012- gc-0013.pdf. In order to provide advice and assistance, you may wish to contact the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office, or the Department of Infrastructure who may be able to provide further information requested. Clerk of Tynwald’s Office can be contacted at enquiries@tynwald.org.im or 685500. Department of Infrastructure Enquiries@Highways.gov.im or 850000.

Please quote the reference number 1892577 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely