In this Act—

• "the 1934 Act" means the [1934 c. 36.] Petroleum (Production) Act 1934;

• " the 1964 Act " means the [1964 c. 29.] Continental Shelf Act 1964 ;

• " the 1971 Act" means the [1971 c. 61.] Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 ;

• " the 1972 Act " means the [1972 c. 60.] Gas Act 1972 ;

• " the 1975 Act" means the [1975 c. 74.] Petroleum and Submarine Pipelines Act 1975;

• " the commencement date ", in relation to any provision of this Act, means the date of the coming into force of that provision;

• " employees' share scheme " means a scheme for encouraging or facilitating the holding of shares or debentures in a company by or for the benefit of—

  1. a

     the bona fide employees or former employees of the company or of a subsidiary of the company; or

  2. b

     the wives, husbands, widows, widowers or children or step-children under the age of 18 of such employees or former employees ;

• " the Gas Corporation " means the British Gas Corporation ;

• " modifications " includes additions, omissions and alterations ;

• " the Oil Corporation " means the British National Oil Corporation ;

• " securities " includes shares, debentures, debenture stock, bonds and other securities of the company concerned, whether or not constituting a charge on the assets of the company;

• " shares " includes stock;

• " statutory provision ", except in relation to Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in section 57(1) of the [1964 c. 40.] Harbours Act 1964 and, in relation to Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in section 1(f) of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.