§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the dates of the Christmas and new year bank holidays in the years 1987 to 1989.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn the years 1987–89 certain bank holidays in the Christmas period fall on Saturdays and Sundays. Some of these are automatically transferred to weekdays under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. In the other cases it is our intention to declare substitute holidays on weekdays subject to the necessary orders being made by royal proclamation. As a result, the dates of the Christmas and new year bank holidays in 1987-89 will be as set out in the table.
We have considered carefully whether it would be helpful to have all of these substitute holidays falling in the working week between Christmas and the new year, but the banks, the only organisations bound by the arrangements we make, require three working days to meet the needs of their customers during that very busy period.
Many people are uncertain about the status of bank holidays. It is important that they are aware that the majority of employers are free to make their own arrangements (unless they are bound by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 or by a wages council order or agricultural wages board order). I would encourage employers and employees to negotiate other arrangements if they find the official dates inconvenient.
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Christmas and new year bank holidays 1987–89 In England, Wales and Northern Ireland In Scotland 1987 Thursday 1 January* Thursday 1 January Friday 25 December Friday 2 January Monday 28 December* Monday 28 December* 1988 Friday 1 January* Friday 1 January Monday 26 December Monday 4 January* Tuesday 27 December Monday 26 December Tuesday 27 December* 1989 Monday 2 January* Monday 2 January Monday 25 December Tuesday 3 January Tuesday 26 December Monday 25 December Tuesday 26 December* * To be declared by royal proclamation.