§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of public holidays in the United Kingdom alongside those of each of the European countries, the United States, Canada and the USSR.
§ Mr. BoothThe following public holidays in member countries of the EEC are secured by national or State law:
Belgium observes 10 public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, 1st May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, 21st July, Assumption Day (15th August), All Saints' Day (1st November), 11th November and Christmas Day.
France observes 10 public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, 1st May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, 14th July, Assumption Day (15th August), All Saints' Day (1st November), 11th November and Christmas Day.
The Federal German Republic observes between 10 and 13 holidays. The number and dates vary according to the provisions of state law, but of the 12 most 403W universally observed 1st January, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 1st May, Pentecost, Christmas and Boxing Day are observed in all States, and Epiphany (6th January) Corpus Christi—mid—June—Assumption Day (15th August), and All Saints' Day (1st November) are observed in most States.
Italy observes 17 public holidays: New Year's Day, Epiphany (6th January), 19th March, 25th April, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday, 1st May, 19th May, Corpus Christi—mid-June—29th June, Assumption Day (15th August), All Saints' Day (1st November), 4th November, 8th December, Christmas and Boxing Day.
Holland observes seven public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Pentecost, 23rd June, Assumption Day (15th August), Christmas and Boxing Day.
Luxembourg observes 10 public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday, 1st May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, 23rd June, Assumption Day (15th August), All Saints' Day (1st November), Christmas and Boxing Day.
Denmark observes 11 public holidays: New Year's Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, General Prayer Day (18th May), Ascension Day, Constitution Day (5th June), Pentecost, Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day.
The Republic of Ireland observes six public holidays: St. Patrick's Day (17th March), Easter Monday, first Monday in June, first Monday in August, Christmas and Boxing Day; Good Friday is a bank holiday but not a public holiday.
United Kingdom. There is no corresponding provision for statutory public holidays in the United Kingdom. Seven bank and common law holidays are observed in England and Wales, and in Scotland, as follows:—England and Wales: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, last Monday in May, last Monday in August, Christmas and Boxing Day.
Scotland. New Year's Day, 2nd January, Good Friday, first Monday in May, first Monday in August, Christmas Day and one other day. These days are generally observed as public holidays in 404W much of England and Wales, but there are local variations.
Outside the EEC, the following public holidays are observed:
United States observes between 9 and 15 holidays. The number and dates vary between different States but include New Year's Day, Washington's birthday—third Monday in February; Memorial Day—last Monday in May; Columbus Day—second Monday in October; Veteran's Day, fourth Monday in October; and Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November.
Canada observes between 12 and 18 public holidays which vary between individual states. Holidays observed by all states are: New Year's Day; Good Friday; Victoria Day and Queen's Birthday, 22nd May; Dominion Day, 1st July; Discovery Day, 17th August; Labour Day, 4th September; Thanksgiving Day, 9th October; Remembrance Day, 11th November; and Christmas.
USSR. There are six public holidays observed in the USSR. They are New Year's Day, International Woman's Day, International Labour Day, Victory Day, Anniversary of the October Socialist Revolution, and Constitution Day.