§ 32. Mr. THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of his Department to continue to grant all recognised statutory bank holidays to manual workers in addition to the annual week's holiday; and whether in the latter case all employés will take their holidays at one and the same time?
Mr. ALEXANDERIt is intended to continue in addition to the week's holiday not only all the paid general holidays formerly allowed, but to give also an additional public holiday. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, but whether every bank holiday will also be a dockyard paid holiday depends upon a decision which has not yet been taken as to the particular week to be made the closed week.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this question of giving bank holidays at the same time as the annual holidays has been considered by the Joint Advisory Council or the Admiralty?
Mr. ALEXANDERThat is so, and the Civil Lord of the Admiralty is in full touch with the trade union representatives on the matter.