Introductory text

in pursuance of section 201(1) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992^f1 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (“the Service”) issued a revision of the whole of the Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities^f2 which came into effect on 14th July 1998;

section 199(1)^f3 of the Act provides that the Service may issue Codes of Practice containing such practical guidance as it thinks fit for the purpose of promoting the improvement of industrial relations or for purposes connected with union learning representatives;

section 199(4) of the Act provides that the Service may from time to time revise the whole or any part of a Code of Practice issued by it;

the Service decided to give practical guidance for purposes connected with union learning representatives by including such guidance in a revision of the Code of Practice mentioned in recital (1);

in pursuance of section 200(1) of the Act the Service has accordingly prepared and published a draft of a revised Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities that includes practical guidance for purposes connected with union learning representatives (“the draft code”) and has considered representations made to it about the draft code;

in pursuance of section 200(2) of the Act the Service has transmitted the draft code to the Secretary of State, who has laid it before both Houses of Parliament;

in pursuance of section 200(3)^f4 of the Act the draft code has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament and the Service has issued the revised Code of Practice in the form of the draft;