HL Deb 10 February 1977 vol 379 cc1271-3
Lord POLWARTH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name of the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their previous decision, and now arrange that the public celebration of Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee be held throughout Scotland on a single date, instead of, as at present proposed, on a variety of dates during April, May and June in different localities.

The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)

My Lords, the fixing of the public holiday in Scotland, as distinct from the bank holiday which will be designated for Monday 6th June, 1977, is, by practice and tradition, for local authorities to determine. All but two of the authorities have completed arrangements for the additional holiday in their respective areas.

Lord POLWARTH

My Lords, would not the Government agree that this is no ordinary holiday for the sole purpose of enabling people to have a day off from work but rather an occasion for national rejoicing and thanksgiving and, as such, should be celebrated simultaneously?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, the Government certainly agree with the noble Lord's expression of opinion as it relates to this particular holiday, but they do not have a locus in the Scottish scene in this sense. We have no power to prescribe a holiday.

Lord POLWARTH

My Lords, does this mean that, for instance, the proposed May Day holiday, which I understand we are to have next year, will be celebrated on different dates at the discretion of the local authorities?

Lord KIRKHILL

Yes, my Lords, It is going to be arranged in the normal manner with each local authority reaching its appropriate decision.

Lord GLENKINGLAS

My Lords, if the Minister cannot, as I quite understand, direct local authorities in Scotland, could he not perhaps use his great influence to persuade them to have a holiday on only one day, because of the disruption of work in Scotland which is of great national importance?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, the Government consulted with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities informally and it was felt that the traditional arrangements whereby the local authorities concerned should themselves determine the actual date should obtain again in this connection. As I have said, all but two of the authorities have now firmly fixed their dates.

Lord CAMPBELL of CROY

My Lords, as Her Majesty is starting her official celebrations in Scotland in May, would it not be more appropriate to choose a single day for what should be a joint celebration and not simply choose another public holiday?

Lord KIRKHILL

Certainly, my Lords, a single date can be chosen but the Government have no locus in this regard. The Government have done what they have always done in the past; they have permitted the traditional arrangement whereby each local authority determines its own date.

Lord BALERNO

My Lords, does the noble Lord therefore imply that local authorities have the right to dictate in national matters?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, they do not have the right to dictate but the right to determine the date of the holiday.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he ever thought he could get the Scots to agree about anything?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, I certainly confirm that I never thought that this Question would be asked of me.

Viscount MONCK

My Lords, is the noble Lord suggesting that devolution has arrived already?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, that is another Question.

Viscount ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, is it not a splendid thing to find something in which Her Majesty's Government do not have a locus?

Lord KIRKHILL

My Lords, as an intervenionist, I do not think I should express an opinion about that supplementary question.

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