§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is aware that very many workers took time off prior to the official Christmas public holidays and on New Year's Day; and, as a means of encouraging workers in industry to report for work on these days, if he will abolish the official holidays granted to civil servants, public servants and Members of Parliament on these days.
§ Mr. David HowellI am aware of the situation described in the Question. Civil servants are not granted a holiday on New Year's Day except where this reflects general local practice or the day is a bank holiday, as in Scotland. In these cases a day off is allowed in place of one of the days allowed at Christmas. It is not clear that industrial absence would be materially affected by a change in these longstanding Civil Service arrangements. The 163W arrangements in other parts of the public service and for Members of Parliament are not the responsibility of the Minister for the Civil Service.