§ Mr. WHITTYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed, as in the case of the Ministry of Munitions, to grant additional holidays at Christmas or the New Year to Civil servants in Irish public Departments in lieu of postponed Bank Holidays?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe case of Civil servants must be governed by the general decision respecting these holidays, and on this point I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Enfield.
§ Mr. WINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Christmas holidays are to be held as usual; and, if so, seeing that Christmas Day falls on a Monday and Boxing Day the day following, will he cause such payments as are due to soldiers' dependants, and ordinarily would be paid on Monday or Tuesday, 25th or 26th December, to be payable on Friday or Saturday, 22nd December or 23rd December, in order to assist soldiers' dependants during Christmas time?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe allowances due on 25th and 26th December will be paid with the previous week's allowances on the 18th and 19th. It is impracticable to pay on the dates suggested owing to pressure of other work in the post offices on those days.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in a number of towns arrangements are being made for the holidays in lieu of the two Bank holidays which were given up by the shops so as to keep in line with the munition factories; and whether the Government intend to make an announcement as to the best course to follow, or whether they propose to leave it to the towns to make their own arrangements?
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Mr. SAMUELI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on behalf of the Prime Minister, gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Enfield.