§ MR. W. BECKETT (Notts,) Bassetlawasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he is in a position to state whether it is his intention to alter the next Bank Holiday from the 26th to the 24th instant?
§ MR. MAPLE (Camberwell, Dulwich)asked, If the right hon. Gentleman is able to communicate to the House the result of his inquiries respecting the proposed alteration of the date of the Bank Holiday from December 26 to December 24; and, whether he is aware that in commercial circles the proposal is widely condemned?
§ MR. MURDOCH (Reading)asked, Whether there is any intention of altering the date of the Bank Holiday from Wednesday, December 26, to Monday, December 24?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am asked three Questions upon this subject, which is of very considerable importance to a large number of people. After having endeavoured to ascertain what are the views of the trading classes and mercantile community generally on the subject, the Government have come to the conclusion that it is not desirable to make an alteration with regard to Bank Holiday. Such an alteration would involve very considerable difficulties with regard to the payment of bills and financial transactions generally, and would probably interfere with a very large number of arrangements which have already been made for that holiday.