§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what calculations she has made of the cost to public funds of an additional day's public holiday in(a) the UK, (b) Wales only, (c) Scotland only and (d) England only. [34908]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 11 February 2002]: There has been no cost assessment made of the financial implications to the public purse resulting from an additional day's public holiday throughout the United Kingdom nor individually for Wales, Scotland and England.
§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what figures she has collated on the number of paid bank holidays employees are entitled to in each European Union country; what plans the Government have to increase the number of paid bank holidays in the UK; and if employees will be eligible to a paid bank holiday for the forthcoming Queen's Golden Jubilee. [34948]
§ Alan JohnsonEmployees have no statutory entitlement to payment for bank holidays in the UK. Therefore, whether they are eligible for payment in respect of the Queen's golden jubilee holiday will depend on their contract of employment.
There are no plans to increase the number of bank holidays in the UK, and we do not collate figures on the number of paid bank holidays in each member state of the EU.