Commentary on Sections Section 5 – Application of enactments
16.Section 5 is concerned with the application of statutory provisions in the context of a joint department, irrespective of when the relevant provision was enacted (subsection (3)).
17.Subsection (1) provides that enactments are to apply to staff in a joint department in the same way as they apply to staff in the House of Lords. Such enactments as apply to staff in the House of Lords (for instance, the Race Relations Act 1976 (c.74)) usually apply in the same way as they apply to other employees generally.
18.Subsection (2) provides that things done by, on behalf of or in relation to a joint department are to be treated as done by, on behalf of or in relation to each House, for the purposes of any enactment which applies to either House.