§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will initiate discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry aimed at improving industrial relations and increasing productivity by encouraging firms to take a 10-day midwinter holiday between Christmas and New Year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewEmployers and employees are free to agree holiday arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period having regard to costs and to operational needs. The Government do not intend to press any particular arrangement. In the years from 1981 to 1984 the Government will have to declare alternative holidays over the Christmas and New Year period on weekdays for those public holidays which fall at week-ends in those years. We shall be consulting the TUC, CBI and other organisations about which alternative days to declare.