§ 24. Mr. J. Harrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that most of the general public will treat Saturday, 27th December, 1958, as a public holiday owing to its proximity to Christmas Day, he will recommend that that day be proclaimed a public holiday.
§ 25. Mr. Pageasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will recommend that Saturday, 27th December, 1958, be proclaimed a bank holiday.
§ Mr. HarrisonAs it can be assumed that most factories and business premises will be closed for four days, and as it will be the banks which will be especially affected, can the right hon. Gentleman say why he is so adamant about the matter?
Mr. AmoryTo start with, on all previous occasions where 26th December has fallen on a Friday, Saturday, 27th December, has not been a bank holiday, and I am satisfied that it would not be in the general interest to make it a bank holiday.
§ Mr. PageHas not it in fact been taken as a bank holiday when 27th December has fallen on a Saturday? Would not recognising it as a bank holiday merely be recognising the fact for the few people who have to work on that day, which is certainly not the case for the majority of the population?
Mr. AmoryI do not think so. For instance, if it were a bank holiday, all shops would be closed and it is in the general interest that food shops, especially food provision shops, should remain open on that Saturday, 27th December.