This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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St Andrew's Day holiday proposal
12/09/2006
A new Bill aiming to establish November 30, St Andrew's Day, as an official holiday was under consideration at the Parliament today.
The Executive has announced it will support the private member's Bill because it is likely to encourage wider celebrations of the annual St Andrews Day.
Ministers suggest that employers and businesses might substitute local holidays during the year for November 30, rather than create an additional holiday.
Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe told the Enterprise and Culture Committee:
"The Bill will not give anyone an automatic right to an additional day's holiday. And it is important that we are clear and honest about about that.
"This Bill is aspirational, it seeks to improve our celebration of St Andrew's day and it seeks to encourage more people to enjoy a holiday whilst engaging in those celebrations.
"That chimes well with the broad consensus that exists to improve our celebration of St Andrew's day. And we agree with that consensus.
"Therefore, if the Parliament seeks to pass this bill the Executive will not stand in its way, but we believe at the same time that Parliament should also endorse a statement which makes it clear that it does not create an automatic entitlement to a holiday, but does create a legal framework to encourage employers and employees to substitute an existing local holiday in favour of St Andrew's day.
"That is why we have been considering what the best way would be for the Executive and the Parliament to support the celebration of St Andrew's Day.
"I want to emphasise that the Executive strongly believes that it could contribute over time to encouraging the greater national celebration of St Andrew's Day, and on that basis, the Executive is prepared to allow the Bill to pass into law.
First Minister Jack McConnell and Dennis Canavan MSP, the sponsor of the Bill, have agreed a statement which they hope the Parliament will endorse.
It reads:
"The Scottish Parliament shares the aspiration that St Andrew's Day should be an occasion for national pride and a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage.
"A greater celebration of St Andrews Day in Scotland will be both an economic opportunity at home and a further opportunity to promote Scotland overseas. However, the independent research report commissioned by the Committee confirmed that we should not be complacent about any potential negative economic impact of adding an additional day to the annual holiday entitlement.
"Where such concerns exist, creating the legal framework that would allow for a Bank Holiday on 30th November would encourage employers and employees to substitute an existing local holiday in favour of a National St Andrew's Day holiday. A model of this approach is to be found in the Scottish Parliament itself which decided in 1999 to substitute St Andrew's Day for an existing September holiday.
"Parliament recognises that passing this Bill does not in itself create a national holiday. The Bill is largely symbolic, but if passed, provides an important signal that Scotland's Parliament, over time, wishes to see a greater national celebration of St Andrew's Days."
The First Minister added:
"St Andrew's Day is an important part of Scotland's history, but it is also an opportunity to promote our modern country across the world. I believe that we should encourage employers and employees to mark the day with a holiday, but that this should be as a substitute for an existing local holiday, rather than an additional one.
"The agreement that I reached with Dennis Canavan is a sensible compromise and I would call on the Committee, Parliament and all Parties to unite around this approach."