DCMS has not purchased an English flag in the past four years

After discovering that the Scottish Government spent nearly half a million pounds, over four years, on the purchase of Scottish flags, I thought I'd ping the Department of Culture a quick email to see if I could find out how much the UK Government had frittered away on English flags.

Dear Department for Culture, Media and Sport,

The Scottish Government recently disclosed their spending on Scottish flags over the years 2006-2011.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/spwrans/?id=2011-02-25.S3W-39237.h

Please provide me with the equivalent data on what the UK Government has spent on procurement of the English flag, the Cross of St George.

I would also be interested to know if you have details as to which agencies, organisations and public bodies the UK Government has distributed English flags.

Yours faithfully,

Their answer:

I have dealt with your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

After a thorough search of our records, I can confirm that we do not hold any information within the scope of your request. The department has not purchased any St George's flags for itself or to distribute to others in each of the last four years.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Team
Public Engagement and Recognition Unit

So when it was revealed that the DCMS spent a grand total of £230 on "putting flags up on St George's Day" the cost was just the cost of physically putting them up, they already had the flags.