Gas Act 1965

19 Appointment of inspectors. E+W+S

(1) The Minister may appoint as inspectors to assist him in the execution of this Part of this Act such number of persons appearing to him to be qualified for the purpose as he may from time to time consider necessary or expedient, and may make to or in respect of any person so appointed, such payments, by way of remuneration or allowances or otherwise, as the Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, determine.

(2) Any sums paid by the Minister under the foregoing subsection shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament.

(3) [F1 Every [F2 public gas transporter]to whom a storage authorisation order applies during any period shall pay to the Minister such proportion as the Minister may determine of]Any sums so paid by the Minister, and such part of any expenses incurred by him as he may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine to be incurred in connection with the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) of this section, [F3 and any sums received by the Minister under this subsection shall be]paid into the Exchequer.

The reference in this subsection to the Minister’s expenses includes a reference to expenses incurred by any other government department in connection with the [F4 Department of Energy], and to such sums as the Treasury may determine in respect of the use for the purposes of that [F4 Department of Energy]of any premises belonging to the Crown.

(4) Any liability of [F5 [F2 a public gas transporter] in respect of sums payable by him]under the last foregoing subsection on account of pensions shall, if the Minister so determines, be satisfied by way of contributions calculated, at such rate as may be determined by the Treasury, by reference to remuneration.

(5) An inspector shall, for the purpose of the execution of this Part of this Act, have power (subject to production, if so requested, of written evidence of his authority), to do all or any of the following things that is,—

(a) at all reasonable times to carry out inspections and tests of any underground gas storage, and of the equipment and apparatus used for the storage, and to take samples of any gas, fluid or other matter,

(b) to require the production of, and to inspect, any documents which are in the possession or under the control of the [F2 public gas transporter]and which relate to the storage,

(c) to require any officer or servant of the [F2 public gas transporter]having responsibilities as respects the storage to give to the inspector such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things to which the responsibilities of that officer or servant extend as are necessary for the purpose of enabling the inspector to exercise the powers conferred on him by paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(6) A person who—

(a) fails to comply with a requirement imposed under this section by an inspector, or

(b) obstructs an inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred by this section,

shall be guilty of an offence under this Part of this Act, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F6 level 3 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F1 Words inserted by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 6(16)(a), Sch. 8 para. 33

F2 Words in Pt. II (ss. 4-28) substituted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 7(1); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

F3 Words substituted by virtue of Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 6(16)(b), Sch. 8 para. 33

F4 Words substituted by virtue of S.I. 1969/1498, arts. 2(1), 5(6), 1970/1537, arts. 2(2), 7(4) and 1974/692, arts. 2(3), 5(3)

F5 Words substituted by virtue of Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 6(17), Sch. 8 para. 33

F6 Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G