27/04/2009

Law Change Allows Motorists To Fly The Flag

Patriotic motorists in Wales will be able to display their national flag on their number plates, following a change in the law.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the change, which means the 1.7 million vehicles registered in Wales will be able to display the red dragon emblem.

Meanwhile, the other national flags and emblems approved for display on British vehicles are the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the Scottish Saltire.

The amendment to the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 took affect on Monday.

"The display of our national flags is a healthy expression of the pride we have in our country," Geoff Hoon said.

"It is right that motorists are now able to celebrate this pride by displaying flags on their number plats and I look forward to seeing our national symbols on cars around the country."

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy welcomed the change, saying: "Today the Government has delivered a commitment to allow the Welsh Dragon on to number plates. I hope the Red Dragon will now become a familiar sight across Wales and beyond as motorists take the opportunity to display their Welsh pride on their plates.

"There are now more than 1.7 million vehicles registered in Wales, any one of those can now choose to proudly fly the Welsh flag to promote Wales on the roads across the UK and Europe."

He added he was planning to have the Welsh dragon on his ministerial car within the next couple of weeks.

(JM/BMcC)

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