Commencement
323.Section 45 provides for the provisions of the Bill to be brought into force by commencement order. The first commencement order (SI 1999/2509) was made on 8 September 1999, bringing sections 38 (transfer of undertakings) and 42 (orders and regulations) into force on 9 September and section 18(6) (a transitional provision to do with waivers of unfair dismissal rights in fixed term contracts) on 30 September.
324.It is intended that a second commencement order should be made during October 1999 setting dates for the entry into force of a number of further provisions, including those under sections 7-9 and Schedule 4 on maternity and parental leave and time off for dependants and the increase in the compensatory award limit for unfair dismissal to £50,000 which is provided for by section 34(4).
325.It is expected that a further commencement order or orders will be made during the first half of 2000 setting entry into force dates for the remaining provisions, such as the statutory recognition process in section 1 and Schedule 1, in order to allow time for necessary preparatory measures such as restructuring the Central Arbitration Committee, issuing or revising codes of practice and consulting on implementing regulations.