AM's call to honour seamen

Three flags normally fly outside the Assembly

A south Wales AM is unhappy that the National Assembly did not mark the first official Merchant Navy Day on Sunday by flying the 'red duster' outside the Assembly's HQ.

Monmouth AM David Davies had even written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to ask him to intervene over the Assembly Presiding Officer's refusal to fly the flag.

In July, Mr Davies wrote to the Assembly's Presiding Officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, asking that the Assembly mark the day by flying the red ensign - known as the red duster - on one of the flag poles outside the building in Cardiff Bay.

David Davies: Offered to provide flag

The Presiding Officer's private secretary wrote back to say it would not be possible.

John Prescott's Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) flew the flag to honour the men who provided Britain with a lifeline during two world wars.

Mr Davies wrote to Mr Prescott asking him to intervene.

"I don't think Dafydd Elis-Thomas realises the damage this will cause to the image of the assembly if we are seen to dishonour the Merchant Navy by failing to mark the official Merchant Navy Day," said Mr Davies.

"The Merchant Navy made an incredible contribution to the war effort and we owe a deep gratitude for the freedom we enjoy today.

"I do not think we sufficiently appreciate how our lives would be affected were they not prepared to be out on the high seas, whatever the conditions.

'Red duster'

"The 'red duster' will be flying outside the Deputy PM's department and, as the Assembly is in Cardiff Bay - from where many merchant seamen set sail - it would be appropriate were we to follow suit," he added.

Mr Davies even offered to provide the flag for the Assembly flagpole.

"It would be fitting for us to remember all who serve, have served and those who have perished in the service of our country and I would like to think that for one day we could replace one of the present flags with the red ensign," said Mr Davies.

Three flags normally fly outside the assembly - the Welsh flag, the Union flag and the European flag.