§ Mr. Hicks(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, 374 in view of the anxiety of traders and workpeople, he has any statement to make as to whether or not it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to propose that Tuesday, 27th December, 1938, should be a public holiday?
§ Sir J. SimonChristmas Day this year falls on a Sunday, and I have recommended that the necessary steps should be taken to declare Tuesday, 27th December, a bank and public holiday this year in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, where, as the House will be aware, the day following Christmas Day is not ordinarily observed as a holiday, the law provides that if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then the next following day (Monday, 26th December) is an additional holiday. And when New Year's Day is on a Sunday, as it is next year, the day following (Monday, 2nd January) is a holiday in Scotland.