§ Mr. Fidlerasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in recent years the decisions fixing the statutory dates, in addition to changes, for bank holidays have been taken and announced by three different Departments, namely the Treasury for Christmas, Home Office for Easter, and Board of Trade for the remainder, notwithstanding the Bank Holi- 376W days Act; and if he will take steps to ensure that one Department alone deals with all bank holidays in future.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 2nd December. The dates of the bank holidays are subject to the Bank Holidays Acts, which provide for changes to be made in special cases. Several Departments have interests in these changes and it would not be appropriate for one Department to deal with all matters concerning bank holidays. But I can assure my hon. Friend that there is close consultation between all concerned.—[Vol. 807, c.428.]