§ 17. Mr. John Huntasked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations with United Kingdom hairdressing interests have taken place since receipt of the European Community Council directive to promote the mobility of hairdressers and the mutual recognition of qualifications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Sally OppenheimMy officials have kept trade representatives fully informed about these developments.
§ Mr. HuntIs not the original initiative that prompted the directive running out of steam? Is it not totally against the spirit of the Community for countries such as France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands to bar the establishment of British hairdressers there while their hairdressers can operate here at will? Is it not time that that one-sided arrangement was ended? Does not the practice emphasise the need to deal with the directive urgently, and will my right. hon. Friend give it a push?
§ Mrs. OppenheimAlmost anything that I say in reply will be taken as a double entendre, but I believe that the scheme has merits and is not running out of steam. Since its inception in March, the Council working group of officials has met three times to discuss the draft directive, and a further meeting is provisionally arranged for 18 September.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantWith great respect to the European Community Council, which I support, is it an earth-shattering priority to discuss whether hairdressers are mobile or static?
§ Mrs. OppenheimIt is not an earth-shattering priority, but our hairdressers who are highly qualified, have been through lengthy apprenticeships and have been trained to a high standard, would be genuinely concerned at infiltration of virtually untrained hairdressers from another member State, so the proposal has merit.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownIn the interest of hon. Members, will the right hon. Lady assure us that the good old British short back and sides will not be legislated out?
§ Mrs. OppenheimAs far as I am aware, it will not be.