§ Baroness Seccombeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements will be made to bring Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 into effect.
§ Baroness BlatchThe Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 1996 brings Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 into force on 27th January 1997. The order makes clear that Section 8 will not apply to any employment which began before that date.
A further order will be laid shortly which will specify the documents which will provide an employer with a defence; state how copies or other records of such documents are to be made; and specify other conditions which may be satisfied if an employee is to be employed without the commission of an offence.
Written guidance about Section 8 will be sent direct to over 1.1 million employers during December. The first copies are being sent out today; all employers should expect to have received a copy before Christmas. The guidance will also be available on the Internet World Wide Web at address http://www.open.gov.u1c/home_off/ind.htm. Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Library.
The guidance has been drawn up with the assistance of the Commission for Racial Equality, individual employers and employers' and trade organisations.
A telephone helpline will be available from 6th January on 0181 649 7878. Further information about the helpline is provided in the written guidance.