§ Lord Alderdiceasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Department of State is responsible for the determination of public holidays in the United Kingdom; and [HL675]
Whether the determination of public and bank holidays will become a responsibility of the new devolved institutions within the United Kingdom. [HL676]
Lord Simon of HigburyThe statutory bank holidays in the United Kingdom are set out in Schedule 1 to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 or are proclaimed each year under that Act. Policy responsibility for bank and public holidays currently lies with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Under Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998, these matters will be within the responsibilities of the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. There will be no change in the current responsibilities for determining bank holidays for Wales and Northern Ireland.