HL Deb 01 August 1961 vol 234 cc97-9

Clause 76, page 56, line 1, leave out from beginning to ("local") in line 12 and insert ("A")

Clause 76, page 56, Line 14, leave out ("registered under this section") and insert ("on which a hairdresser's or barber's business is carried on")

Clause 76, page 56, line 20, leave out from beginning to end of Clause and insert ("and it shall be the duty of the local authority to enforce byelaws made by them under this section.

(2) Section two hundred and eighty-seven of the Public Health Act, 1936, shall have effect as if this section were contained in that Act.

(3) The Minister shall be the confirming authority as respects byelaws under this section ")

LORD BRECON

My Lords, I beg to move that this House doth agree with Commons Amendments Nos. 36, 37 and 38. This clause deals with hairdressers and barbers and their premises. It was not included in the Bill when it was first presented to your Lordships' House by the Government, but was introduced during the Committee stage by the noble Lord, Lord Amulree. It provides for the registration of hairdressers and their premises, and for the making of by-laws by local authorities. In another place, some of the provisions of this clause have been criticised. Subsection (1) provides that, as from the time the provisions come into force in the district of the local authority, nobody may carry on the business of a hairdresser or barber on premises occupied by him unless he and the premises are registered by the local authority. Subsection (5) provides that a person convicted of an offence under the by-laws may have his registration and the registration of his premises suspended or cancelled by the court.

Amendments to the clause were therefore moved in another place, the effect of which is to remove the requirement of compulsory registration and all that goes with it, while leaving local authorities a power to make by-laws governing the cleanliness of hairdressers' premises and equipment, and of people working in hairdressers' shops. It seemed to the Government that this was a reasonable line to take, in that it gives local authorities who feel that there is a need for by-laws in their districts to make them, and thereby to ensure reasonable standards of cleanliness. There will, of course, be penalties for breach of the by-laws by way of fines, but with the removal of the registration system from the clause, a man will not stand in peril of losing his living for breaking a by-law. The Government therefore accepted these Amendments, and I hope your Lordships will feel that the clause as amended will enable local authorities to exercise a reasonable degree of control. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendments.—(Lord Brecon.)

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Amulree, who unfortunately has been unable to remain in his place, I should like to thank the Minister for his reference to my noble friend and to say that my noble friend is well satisfied with the position which has now been reached.

LORD LATHAM

My Lords, would the noble Lord tell me whether these provisions are limited to the condition of the premises, and not to the actual carrying on of a barber's business?

LORD BRECON

My Lords, it relates to the premises certainly, and also to the cleanliness in carrying on the business within those premises.

LORD LATHAM

But not the business itself.

On Question, Motion agreed to.