Union Jack
This is the popular name commonly given to Union Flag, the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is formed by the combining on a blue ground the red cross of St. George (red on white) and the white and red diagonal crosses of St. Andrew and St. Patrick, the traditional patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Ensign
This is a flag flown on an ensign-staff at the stern of a ship to indicate nationality. The British ensigns have a white, blue, or red field with a Union Jack in the upper corner next to the staff.

The white ensign consists of the red cross of St. George on a white flag with the Union Jack in the upper quarter next to the staff. It is worn by vessels of the Royal Navy and Royal Yacht Squadron which accompany the King or Queen. The Royal Navy and Royal Yacht Squadron are used for official state visits to other countries and also when the monarch inspects the ships of the Royal Navy. The Yacht sails between the war-ships, the crews dressed in parade uniforms give three cheers of hip, hip, hurrah.

This tradition dates back to the 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I greeted her Navy after their victory over the Spanish Armada.

The blue ensign is worn by ships commanded by officers commissioned in the Royal Reserve and by yachts of certain clubs.

The red ensign is used by the merchant navy.

The Royal Standard
This is a personal flag of the Sovereign and is used only when the Sovereign is present. It bears the arms of England quartered with those of Scotland and Ireland.

Cabinet
In Britain all the heads of ministries (departments) are included into Cabinet. The Cabinet is headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses the minister's and decides the composition of the Cabinet.

Since 1945 there have been about twenty ministers in the Cabinet. Among them are the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Home Department and Lord Privy Seal, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Secratary of State for Scotland, Minister for Welsh Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministers of Defence, Education, Labour and National Service, etc.

The main characteristic of Cabinet government is in the placing of government power in the hands of a small group of Parliament leaders belonging to the same party or coalition of parties.

The Ministers who compose the Cabinet are members of one or the other Houses of Parliament. The Ministers control the various Departments of State.

The Cabinet meets at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister when he is in London.

Usually the Cabinet meets once a week, but sometimes more often.

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