HC Deb 18 November 1947 vol 444 cc983-4
55. Mr. Marlowe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds permission has been refused for the banks to be closed on 1st January, 1948, according to custom; and whether he is aware that such closing facilitates dealing with arrears of business at the close of the year.

59. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of depleted staffs and increased work in the banks of England and Wales, he proposes to prevent them closing their doors to the public on 1st January, 1948, and so stopping the staffs from concentrating on balances which must be made up on that date.

Sir S. Cripps

The "working bank holiday" on New Year's Day was introduced during the war to help out the banks when they were working with much reduced staffs. It has never been customary in peacetime, and I cannot agree that bank facilities should be denied to the public on a working day in present conditions.

Mr. Marlowe

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that this holiday is still required today, and may I ask whether he has not had representations on the matter from the staff associations and from the National Union of Bank Employees, the trade union concerned?

Sir S. Cripps

I would not agree that there is now any necessity for the holiday, in view of the state of staffing of the banks.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

May we assume that the remarks of the right hon. and learned Gentleman will not affect banks in Scotland?