3.—(1) This article shall have effect subject to the Schedule to this Order.
(2) 24th February 2003 is the day appointed for the coming into force of—
(a)for the purpose only of the exercise of any power to make regulations—
(i)sections 43(1) to (3)(a), 45(4) and 51(1) in so far as they relate to relevant adoption functions;
(ii)section 116 and Schedule 4, in so far as they relate to paragraphs 5(2)(b), (6)(a) to (c); and
(b)for the purpose only of issuing statements of national minimum standards relating to the exercise of relevant adoption functions by local authorities, section 49(1).
(3) 25th February 2003 is the day appointed for the coming into force of, for the purposes specified in paragraph (4), the following subsections of section 4—
(a)subsection (7);
(b)subsection (9) in so far as it relates to a voluntary adoption agency; and
(c)subsection (1) in so far as it relates to those subsections.
(4) The following purposes are specified—
(a)to enable the Commission to consider or obtain information—
(i)about an existing provider for the purposes of paragraph 2 (registration in respect of existing agencies) of the Schedule to this Order;
(ii)in relation to an application which is to be determined by the Commission by virtue of paragraph 6 (transfer of applications for approval — applications for approval) of the Schedule to this Order;
(b)to enable the Commission to determine an application for registration for the purposes of Part II of the Act in respect of a voluntary organisation that is not an existing agency, except for the purpose of enabling any effect to be given to the determination of such an application before 30th April 2003.
(5) 30th April 2003 is the day appointed for the coming into force of—
(a)in so far as they are not already in force the following subsections of section 4—
(i)subsection (7);
(ii)subsection (9) in so far as it relates to a voluntary adoption agency; and
(iii)subsection (1) in so far as it relates to those subsections;
(b)sections 43, 44, 45, 46(1) to (6), (7)(c) and (d) and (8), 47, 49, 51 and 53 in so far as they relate to relevant adoption functions;
(c)section 116 and Schedule 4, in so far as they relate to paragraph 5 of that Schedule, other than sub-paragraph (6)(d) and (7)(b), and are not already in force;
(d)section 117(2) and Schedule 6, in so far as they relate to the 1976 Act.
(6) 1st June 2003 is the day appointed for the coming into force of—
(a)section 116 and Schedule 4, in so far as they relate to paragraph 27;
(b)section 117(2) and Schedule 6, in so far as they relate to the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999(1).