The use of the generic he was approved in an Act of Parliament, the Interpretation Act 1850 (the provision continues in the Interpretation Act 1978, although this states equally that the feminine includes the masculine).
In 1850 a special Act of Parliament was passed that legally proscribed singular "they" and "he or she" in favor of "he".
Act of Parliament | Act | Statute Law Revision Act 1948 | Statute Law Revision Act 1888 | Act of Congress | Reform Act 1832 | Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act | Endangered Species Act | Digital Millennium Copyright Act | Clean Water Act | American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 | National School Lunch Act | Statute Law Revision Act 1863 | Criminal Justice Act 1988 | Local Government Act 1972 | Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 | Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act | Communications Act 2003 | Statute Law Revision Act 1887 | Consumer Credit Act 1974 | ACT | Stamp Act | Official Secrets Act 1989 | National Firearms Act | act | Statute Law Revision Act 1867 | 1850 | Statute Law Revision Act 1950 | Protection from Harassment Act 1997 | Official Secrets Act 1911 |