HC Deb 14 May 1984 vol 60 cc14-5
33. Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will propose that the House shall not sit on Whit Monday.

Mr. Biffen

No. I think it appropriate that the House should as far as possible conform to the practice of the country at large in these matters.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

Did not my right hon. Friend's predecessor, and does not he himself, regret the supersession of Whit Monday as a public holiday? Should not Parliament and people be enabled once again properly to celebrate the birthday of the Church?

Mr. Biffen

I have to point out to my hon. Friend that the decision to go for a fixed spring bank holiday was taken when my right hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Mr. Heath) was at the Department of Trade in 1964. My hon. Friend may recall that that was introduced with the full-hearted consent of ecclesiastics. Experience since then does not suggest any great public pressure for the reversal of such a policy. I fear that my hon. Friend's anxieties may be overtaken if the modish innovators of the Church are successful in getting a fixed Easter.