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 a draft code of practice for the said purposes so far as relating to equal pay, considered representations that were made to them about the draft and modified the draft in the light of those representations;

(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, as modified, to the Secretary of State who approved of it and laid it before both Houses of Parliament on 23rd October 1996;

(5) in accordance with section 56A(5) of the Act the modified draft code of practice lay before each House of Parliament for a period of forty days during which period neither House resolved that no further proceedings should be taken on it;

(6) in pursuance of section 56A(7) of the Act the Commission is to issue the code of practice in the form of the modified draft on 25th March 1997;