Flag plan will have Scots opt-out

The government published the plans last week and they follow Gordon Brown raising the issue of celebrating Britishness in January.

The SNP said Justice Secretary Jack Straw assured the policy would not cover executive buildings.

However, UK Government properties in Scotland will fly the Union flag under the current proposals.

SNP leader Alex Salmond, now first minister, previously said Britishness "went bust long ago" in Scotland.

Royal birthdays

An SNP spokesman said Mr Straw's comments came when he visited Scotland earlier this month.

The spokesman said: "Jack Straw agreed there are different considerations in Scotland than there are in England.

"He agreed that the issue of flags is best left for us to decide. In Scotland, the Saltire will fly each day, although on 18 special days the union flag will be raised instead."

A consultation paper proposes giving government departments the freedom to fly the Union Jack every day, instead of just a few days a year such as royal birthdays.

People's views

Culture Secretary James Purnell said: "The Union flag is a powerful symbol of both our heritage and modern, diverse Britain. It brings us together in solidarity and shared identity.

"We want to hear people's views about whether government buildings should be allowed to fly it every day."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Scottish National Party
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites