HL Deb 29 November 1971 vol 326 cc135-6WA
BARONESS PHILLIPS

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What national common law, bank and public holidays are observed by member countries of the European Economic Community.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

The best information which can be obtained is as follows.

Belgium observes 10 public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, the 1st May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, the 21st July, Assumption Day (the 15th August), All Saints' Day (the 1st November), the 11th November and Christmas Day.

France observes 10 public holidays: on New Year's Day, Easter Monday, the 1st May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, the 14th July, Assumption Day (the 15th August), All Saints' Day (the 1st November), the 11th November and Christmas Day.

The Federal German Republic observes between 10 and 13 public holidays. The number and dates vary according to the provisions of State law, but of the 12 most universally observed, the 1st January, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the 1st May, Pentecost, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are observed in all States, and Epiphany (the 6th January), Corpus Christi (mid-June), Assumption (the 15th August), and All Saints' Day (the 1st November) are observed in most states.

Italy observes 17 public holidays: New Year's Day, Epiphany (the 6th January), the 19th March, the 25th April, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday, the 1st May, the 19th May, Corpus Christi (mid-June) the 29th June, Assumption Day (the 15th August), All Saints' Day (the 1st November) the 4th November, the 8th December, Christmas and Boxing Day.

Holland observes 7 public holidays, New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Pentecost, the 23rd June, Assumption Day (the 15th August), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The holidays listed are those which are secured by national or State law. Practice in individual Member States of the E.E.C. on extra-statutory holidays varies considerably. They have no direct equivalent of common law holidays, nor holidays which are effectively national public holidays secured by legislation governing banking. Membership of the E. E. C. imposes no obligation to harmonise public holidays either as to number or to date.

House adjourned at two minutes past nine o'clock.