HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 c377W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will take whatever action may be deemed necessary or appropriate to declare 24th March a public holiday.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Although existing legislation provides for the appointment of special days to be observed as Bank holidays for certain purposes, there is no statutory provision as to which days should be generally observed as public holidays. This is a matter for negotiation between employers and employees.