§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make the first Monday in May the annual May Day holiday in Scotland.
§ Mr. Harry EwingDetermination of the dates of public holidays, as distinct from bank holidays, is traditionally a matter for individual local authorities. Having regard, however, to the recent change in the statutory day for local government elections, my right hon. Friend will576W shortly be inviting local authorities to give effect in the exercise of their discretion to the recommendation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities that arrangements should be made for the May Day holiday to be observed on the first Monday in May from 1979 onwards.
§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board about the date of the May Day holiday.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe board has indicated that, while fixing of holidays on different dates locally can create difficulties in organising examination dates, it would see no difficulty if the May Day holiday were from 1979 observed generally on the first Monday in May.