§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what study he has made of the number of firms in 1977 which allow more than a week's holiday from Christmas to the New Year; and if he will initiate discussions with the TUC and CBI aimed at obtaining further progress towards a general holiday entitlement of at least four weeks, including, where possible, a mid-winter holiday week covering the period from Christmas to the New Year.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have made no such study, but, as my hon. Friend knows, the Government supported the 1975 EEC recommendation for four weeks' annual paid holiday by the end of 1978 on the basis that its progressive achievement was726W a matter for collective bargaining, subject to the requirements of counter-inflation policy. Similarly, holiday arrangements between Christmas and New Year and at other times are, in general, a matter for agreement between employers and employees, and I have no plans for discussions on this subject with the TUC and CBI.