HL Deb 25 January 1978 vol 388 cc457-9WA
Viscount FURNESS

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the number of public holidays (bank holidays) and the dates on which they fell during 1977 in each of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom and the other members of the EEC.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

Following were the bank and other holidays observed in the United Kingdom in 1977:

England and Wales—9

New Year—3rd January; Good Friday —8th April; Easter Monday—11th April; Spring Bank Holiday—6th June; Silver Jubilee—7th June; Summer Bank Holiday—29th August; Christmas Day—25th December (which fell on a Sunday in 1977); Boxing Day—26th December and 27th December.

Scotland-9

New Year—3rd January; 4th January; Good Friday—8th April; Spring Bank Holiday—2nd May; Silver Jubilee—6th June; Summer Bank Holiday—lst August; Christmas Day—25th December (which fell on a Sunday in 1977); Boxing Day—26th December; 27th December. In Scotland bank holidays may not coincide with public holidays which are traditionally a matter for local authorities. Dates are settled in consultation with local interests to suit local circumstance.

Northern Ireland—11

New Year—3rd January; St. Patrick's Day—17th March; Good Friday—8th April; Easter Monday—11th April; Spring Bank Holiday—6th June; Silver Jubilee—7th June; 12th July; Summer Bank Holiday—1st August; Christmas Day—25th December (which fell on a Sunday in 1977); Boxing Day—26th December and 27th December.

Following were the public holidays observed in other EEC countries in 1977:

Belgium—10

New Year's Day—1st January; Easter Monday—11th April; May Day—1st May; Ascension Day—19th May; Whit Monday—30th May; 21st July; Assumption—15th August; All Saint's Day—1st November; Armistice Day 1914–1918–11th November; Christmas Day—25th December.

Denmark—10

New Year's Day—1st January. Maundy Thursday—7th April; Good Friday—8th April; Easter Monday—11th April; Storebededag—6th May; Ascension Day—19th May; Whit Monday—30th May; Grundlovsdag—5th June; Christmas Day—25th December; Boxing Day—26th December.

Eire—9

New Year's Day—1st January: St. Patrick's Day—17th March; Good Friday—8th April; Easter Monday—11th April; 6 June; 1st August; 31st October; Christmas holidays—26th December and 27th December (because Christmas Day fell on a Sunday).

France—10

New Year's Day—lst January; Easter Monday—11th April; May Day—lst May; Ascension Day—19th May; Whit Monday—30th May; 14th July; Assumption Day—15th August: All Saints' Day—1st November; Armistice Day 1914–1918 —11th November; Christmas Day—25th December.

The Federal German Republic—between 11 and 14. The number and dates vary according to the provisions of State law.

New Year's Day—1st January; Good Friday—8th April; Easter Monday—11th April; Labour Day—1st May; Ascension Day—19th May; Whit Monday—30th May; German Unity Day—17th June; Christmas Day—25th December; 2nd Christmas Day—26th December are observed in all States; Epiphany—6th January: Corpus Christi—9th June; Assumption Day—15th August; All Saint's Day—1st November; and Penitence and Prayer Day—23rd November are observed in some States.

Italy—11

New Year's Day—1st January; Easter Monday—11th April; Liberation Day—25th April; May Day—1st May; 2nd June; Assumption Day—15th August; All Saints' Day—1st November; National Unity Day—4th November; Immaculate Conception—8th December; Christmas Day—25th December and Boxing Day—26th December.

Luxembourg—10

New Year's Day—1st January: Easter Monday—11th April; May Day—lst May; Ascension Day—19th May; Whit Monday—30th May; National Day—23rd June; Assumption Day—15th August; All Saints' Day—1st November; Christmas Holidays—26th December and 27th December (because Christmas Day fell on a Sunday).

Netherlands—7

New Year's Day—1st January; Good Friday—8th April; Easter Monday] 11th April; Ascension Day—19th May; Pentecost—30th May; Christmas Day—25th December, and Boxing Day—26th December.