Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport and North Wales – in the Senedd at 2:00 pm on 7 October 2020.

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Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru 2:00, 7 October 2020

Thank you for that, Minister. I'd like, in my third question, to take you to a very different industry, and that is the hair and beauty industry. We, again, had representatives of that industry before us—before the committee—today, and they were emphasising the importance of those businesses as destinations on the high street. You know, you can't get your hair cut remotely; you might be able to buy your books remotely, but you can't get your hair cut remotely. She expressed a concern that she wasn't always convinced that the importance of the industry was understood properly by Welsh Government. She pointed out, of course, the importance of the industry in providing opportunities for women, and for women who work part time. 

She also pointed out some potential anomalies in the safety regulations. She told us, for example, that whereas a barber, mostly male, is allowed to shave a male customer, a beautician, mostly female, is not allowed to give a facial to a female customer. She was suggesting to us that, for the viability of the industry going forward, she'd like some of those anomalies in the regulations looked at again. I'd like to invite the Minister today to commit to look at those anomalies and also to send a clear message of his own understanding of the importance of this industry, which also, of course, has an impact on the well-being of customers.