asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who owns the building in London occupied by the Northern Ireland Office; and why they do not allow a Northern Ireland flag to be flown. [HL4341]

The Union flag is the official flag of Northern Ireland and is flown over the London offices of the Northern Ireland Office in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport entitled Protocol for Hoisting Flags on Government Buildings. This document can be found at: www.culture.gov.uk/flagflying/protocol.html.

The building is owned by Her Majesty's Security Service (MI5).