5(1)In subsection (3) of section 33 of the [1967 c. 9.] General Rate Act 1967 (British Gas Corporation) for the words from "the Corporation ", in the first place where they occur, to the end of paragraph (c) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—
“(a)the Corporation—
(i)supplied gas to consumers in that area ; or
(ii)manufactured gas in that area; or
(iii)produced gas in that area by the application to gas purchased by them of any process not consisting only of purification, or of blending with other gases, or of both purification and such blending ; or
(b)private suppliers (within the meaning of section 33A of this Act) supplied to consumers in that area gas which had been conveyed (whether within or outside that area) by pipe-lines belonging to> the Corporation,”.
(2)In subsection (7) of that section for the words "includes gas in a liquid state " there shall be substituted the words " has the same meaning as in Part I of the [1972 c. 60.] Gas Act 1972 ".
6After that section there shall be inserted the following section—
(1)The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in such cases and subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed by the order, section 33 of and Part II of Schedule 6 to this Act shall apply to premises occupied by private suppliers for or in connection with the supply of gas through pipes to consumers' premises.
(2)In this section—
' gas' has the same meaning as in Part III of the Gas Act 1972;
' private supplier' means a person authorised by a consent given under section 29 of that Act, or by section 29 A of that Act, to supply gas through pipes to consumers' premises.
(3)Any statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”.