Whereas-

(1) in pursuance of section 56A(1) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975(1) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") the Equal Opportunities Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission") may issue codes of practice containing such practical guidance as the Commission think fit for either or both of the following purposes, namely, the elimination of discrimination in the field of employment and the promotion of equality of opportunity in that field between men and women;

(2) in pursuance of section 56A(2) of the Act the Commission prepared and published in draft a code of practice for the said purposes and considered representations made to them about the draft;

(3) in pursuance of section 56A(3) of the Act the Commission consulted with such organisations or associations representative of employers or of workers and such other organisations or bodies as appeared to the Commission to be appropriate;

(4) in pursuance of section 56A(4) of the Act the Commission transmitted the draft code of practice to the Secretary of State who then laid the draft before both Houses of Parliament on 29th January 1985;

(5) in accordance with section 56A(5) of the Act the draft code of practice lay before each House of Parliament for a period of forty days during which period neither House resolved against the taking of further proceedings on the draft;

(6) in pursuance of section 56A(7) of the Act the Commission is to issue the code of practice in the form of the draft in April 1985;

Now, therefore, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the power conferred on him by section 56A(7) of the Act, hereby orders as follows:-