(1)If in the case of a pipe-line belonging to the Gas Corporation it appears to the Secretary of State, on the application of a person other than the Corporation—
(a)that the pipe-line can and should be modified by installing in it a junction through which another pipe-line may be connected to the pipe-line ; or
(b)in the case of a high pressure pipe-line, that the capacity of the pipe-line can and should be increased by modifying apparatus and works associated with the pipeline,
then, subject to section 17(4) below, the Secretary of State may, after giving to the Corporation an opportunity of being heard about the matter, give directions to the Corporation in accordance with subsection (2) below in consequence of the application.
(2)Directions under this section may—
(a)specify the modifications which the Secretary of State considers should be made in consequence of the application ;
(b)specify the sums or the method of determining the sums which the Secretary of State considers should be paid to the Gas Corporation by the applicant for the purpose of defraying the cost of the modifications ;
(c)specify the arrangements which the Secretary of State considers should be made by the applicant, within a period specified in that behalf in the directions, for the purpose of securing that those sums will be paid to the Corporation if it carries out the modifications ;
(d)require the Corporation, if the applicant makes those arrangements within the period aforesaid, to carry out the modifications within a period specified in that behalf in the directions.
(3)References in subsections (1) and (2) above to modifications include, in the case of modifications to any apparatus and works, references to changes in, substitutions for and additions to the apparatus and works ; and the reference in subsection (1) above to apparatus and works associated with a pipe-line shall be construed in accordance with section 65(2) of the [1962 c. 58.] Pipe-lines Act 1962.