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Gas Act 1986

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I Gas Supply

    1. Introductory

      1. 1.The Director General of Gas Supply

      2. 2.The Gas Consumers' Council

      3. 3.Abolition of Corporation's special privilege

      4. 4.General duties of Secretary of State and Director

    2. Authorisation of gas supply

      1. 5.Prohibition on unauthorised supply

      2. 6.Exception to section 5

      3. 7.Authorisation of public gas suppliers

      4. 8.Authorisation of other persons

    3. Supply of gas by public gas suppliers

      1. 9.General powers and duties

      2. 10.Duty to supply certain premises

      3. 11.Power to require security

      4. 12.Standard method of charge

      5. 13.Alternative method of charge

      6. 14.Fixing of tariffs

      7. 15.Public gas supply code

    4. Supply of gas by public gas suppliers and others

      1. 16.Standards of quality

      2. 17.Meter testing and stamping

      3. 18.Safety regulations

    5. Use by other persons of pipe-lines belonging to public gas suppliers

      1. 19.Acquisition of rights to use pipe-lines

      2. 20.Construction of pipe-lines

      3. 21.Increase of capacity etc. of pipe-lines

      4. 22.Effect of directions

    6. Modification of public gas suppliers' authorisations

      1. 23.Modification by agreement

      2. 24.Modification references to Monopolies Commission

      3. 25.Report on modification references

      4. 26.Modification following report

      5. 27.Modification by order under other enactments

    7. Public gas suppliers: enforcement

      1. 28.Orders for securing compliance with certain provisions

      2. 29.Procedural requirements

      3. 30.Validity and effect of orders

    8. Investigation of complaints etc.

      1. 31.Duty of Director to investigate certain matters

      2. 32.Duty of Council to investigate certain matters

      3. 33.Power of Council to investigate other matters

    9. Other functions of Director

      1. 34.General functions

      2. 35.Publication of information and advice

      3. 36.Keeping of register

      4. 37.Fixing of maximum charges for reselling gas

      5. 38.Power to require information etc.

      6. 39.Annual and other reports

    10. Other functions of Council

      1. 40.General duty to advise Director

      2. 41.Annual reports

    11. Miscellaneous

      1. 42.General restrictions on disclosure of information

      2. 43.Making of false statements etc.

      3. 44.Compensation to chairmen and officers of Consumers' Councils

    12. Supplemental

      1. 45.Offences by bodies corporate

      2. 46.Service of notices etc.

      3. 47.Provisions as to regulations

      4. 48.Interpretation of Part I and savings,

  3. PART II Transfer of Undertaking of Corporation

    1. 49.Vesting of property etc. of Corporation in a company nominated by the Secretary of State

    2. 50.British Gas Stock

    3. 51.Initial Government holding in the successor company

    4. 52.Government investment in securities of the successor company

    5. 53.Exercise of functions through nominees

    6. 54.Target investment limit for Government shareholding

    7. 55.Financial structure of the successor company

    8. 56.Temporary restrictions on successor company's borrowings etc.

    9. 57.Dissolution of the Corporation

    10. 58.Statements in connection with flotation

    11. 59.Application of Trustee Investments Act 1961 in relation to investment in the successor company

    12. 60.Tax provisions

    13. 61.Interpretation etc. of Part II

  4. PART III Miscellaneous and General

    1. 62.Exclusion of certain agreements from Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976

    2. 63.Restrictions on use of certain information

    3. 64.Provisions as to orders

    4. 65.Financial provisions

    5. 66.General interpretation

    6. 67.Amendments, transitional provisions, savings and repeals

    7. 68.Short title, commencement and extent

  5. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Director General of Gas Supply

      1. 1.There shall be paid to the Director such remuneration, and...

      2. 2.In the case of any such holder of the office...

      3. 3.If, when any person ceases to hold office as the...

      4. 4.The Director may, with the approval of the Treasury as...

      5. 5.There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament...

      6. 6.In the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 in Schedule 2 (departments...

      7. 7.In the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 in Part...

      8. 8.The Director shall have an official seal for the authentication...

      9. 9.The Documentary Evidence Act 1868 shall have effect as if...

      10. 10.Anything authorised or required by or under this Act to...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      Gas Consumers' Council

      1. 1.The Council shall not be regarded as a servant or...

      2. 2.The Council may pay to any member such sums, whether...

      3. 3.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the Council may, with...

      4. 4.The Council shall have power to do anything which is...

      5. 5.It shall be the duty of the Council to comply...

      6. 6.The Secretary of State or the Director may, to such...

      7. 7.Any sums required by the Secretary of State for the...

      8. 8.In the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 in Part...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      Acquisition of Land by Public Gas Suppliers

      1. PART I Powers of Acquisition Etc.

        1. 1.(1) The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Director,...

        2. 2.(1) This paragraph applies to land which—

        3. 3.Where a public gas supplier has acquired any land by...

      2. PART II Procedure, Compensation Etc. (England and Wales)

        1. Application of Acquisition of Land Act 1981 generally

          1. 4.The Acquisition of Land Act 1981 shall apply to a...

        2. New rights: general adaptation of Compulsory Purchase Act 1965

          1. 5.The Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 shall have effect with the...

        3. New rights: specific adaptations of Act of 1965

          1. 6.Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 5 above, Part...

          2. 7.For section 7 of that Act (measure of compensation) there...

          3. 8.For subsection (1) of section 8 of that Act (protection...

          4. 9.The following provisions of that Act (being provisions stating the...

          5. 10.Section 11 of that Act (powers of entry) shall be...

          6. 11.Section 20 of that Act (protection for interests of tenants...

          7. 12.Section 22 of that Act (protection of acquiring authority's possession...

        4. New rights: compensation

          1. 13.The enactments in force in England and Wales with respect...

      3. PART III Procedure, Compensation Etc. (Scotland)

        1. Application of Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 generally

          1. 14.The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 shall...

        2. New rights: general application of Act of 1947 and incorporated enactments

          1. 15.The enactments incorporated with this Act by virtue of Part...

        3. New rights: specific adaptations of Act of 1947

          1. 16.Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 15 above, Part...

          2. 17.In paragraph 9 of that Schedule (compulsory purchase affecting land...

          3. 18.In paragraph 10 of that Schedule (land of statutory undertakers)—...

          4. 19.In paragraph 11 of that Schedule (common or open space),...

          5. 20.In paragraph 12 of that Schedule, for the words "...

          6. 21.Paragraph 10 above shall have effect in relation to the...

          7. 22.For paragraph 4 of the Second Schedule to the said...

        4. Restrictions on application of paragraphs 15 to 20 above

          1. 23.So much of paragraph 15 above as relates to the...

        5. New Rights: specific adaptions of Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845

          1. 24.For section 61 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act...

          2. 25.The following provisions of that Act .(being provisions stating the...

          3. 26.Paragraph 11 above shall have effect in relation to that...

          4. 27.Paragraph 12 above shall have effect in relation to that...

        6. New rights: compensation

          1. 28.Paragraph 13 above shall have effect in relation to Scotland...

          2. 29.This Part of this Schedule shall extend to Scotland only....

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      Power of Public Gas Suppliers to Break Up Streets, Bridges Etc

      1. 1.(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Schedule, a...

      2. 2.(1) The powers of a public gas supplier under paragraph...

      3. 3.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, nothing in paragraph 1...

      4. 4.(1) Except in cases of emergency arising from defects in...

      5. 5.(1) The powers conferred by paragraph 1 above shall be...

      6. 6.In this Schedule— " highway authority ", in relation to...

      7. 7.In its application to Scotland this Schedule shall have effect...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      Public Gas Supply Code

      1. PART I Supply of Gas to Tariff Customers

        1. Maintenance etc. of service pipes

          1. 1.A public gas supplier shall carry out any necessary work...

        2. Alterations etc. of burners on change of calorific value

          1. 2.It shall be the duty of a public gas supplier,...

        3. Consumption of gas to be ascertained by meter

          1. 3.(1) Every tariff customer of a public gas supplier shall,...

        4. Meters to be kept in proper order

          1. 4.(1) Every tariff customer shall at all times, at his...

        5. Meter as evidence of quantity of gas supplied

          1. 5.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, where gas is supplied...

        6. Installation of meters in new premises

          1. 6.(1) This paragraph applies where a meter is to be...

        7. Recovery of gas charges etc.

          1. 7.(1) A public gas supplier may recover from a tariff...

      2. PART II Supply of Gas to Tariff Customers and Others

        1. Use of antiflucuators and valves

          1. 8.(1) Where a person supplied with gas by a public...

        2. Improper use of gas

          1. 9.If any person supplied with gas by a public gas...

        3. Injury to gas fittings and interference with meters

          1. 10.(1) If any person intentionally or by culpable negligence—

        4. Restoration of supply without consent

          1. 11.(1) Where a supply of gas to any premises has...

        5. Failure to notify connection or disconnection of service pipe

          1. 12.(1) No person shall connect any meter with a service...

        6. Prevention of escapes of gas

          1. 13.(1) Where any gas escapes from any pipe of a...

        7. Information as to escapes of gas

          1. 14.It shall be the duty of a public gas supplier...

        8. Entry during continuance of supply

          1. 15.(1) Any officer authorised by a public gas supplier may...

        9. Entry on discontinuance of supply

          1. 16.(1) Where— (a) a public gas supplier is authorised by...

        10. Entry for replacing, repairing or altering pipes

          1. 17.(1) Any officer authorised by a public gas supplier, after...

        11. Provisions as to powers of entry

          1. 18.(1) Where in pursuance of any powers of entry conferred...

        12. Gas fittings not to be subject to distress

          1. 19.(1) Any gas fittings let for hire or lent to...

    6. SCHEDULE 6

      Amendments of Gas Levy Act 1981

      1. 1.(1) In subsection (1) of section 1 of the Gas...

      2. 2.No order shall be made under section 2(3) of that...

      3. 3.For section 3 of that Act there shall be substituted...

      4. 4.(1) In subsection (1) of section 4 of that Act—...

      5. 5.(1) In subsection (1) of section 5 of that Act—...

      6. 6.After section 5 of that Act there shall be inserted...

      7. 7.(1) In subsection (2) of section 6 of that Act...

      8. 8.In section 7(2) of that Act for the definition of...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

      Minor And Consequential Amendments

      1. Interpretation

        1. 1.In this Schedule " public gas supplier " has the...

      2. Enactments relating to statutory undertakers etc.

        1. 2.(1) A public gas supplier shall be deemed to be...

      3. The Water Act 1945

        1. 3.(1) Section 24(6) of the Water Act 1945 (power of...

      4. The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954

        1. 4.(1) In section 1(2) of the Rights of Entry (Gas...

      5. The Pipe-lines Act 1962

        1. 5.(1) In section 58(1) of the Pipe-lines Act 1962 (statutory...

      6. The Gas Act 1965

        1. 6.(1) The Gas Act 1965— (a) shall have effect without...

      7. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966

        1. 7.In section 18(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966,...

      8. The General Rate Act 1967

        1. 8.(1) In section 19(6) of the General Rate Act 1967...

      9. The Transport Act 1968

        1. 9.In section 109(2) of the Transport Act 1968 (power of...

      10. The Post Office Act 1969

        1. 10.In section 7(1A) of the Post Office Act 1969 (powers...

      11. The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970

        1. 11.In section 14(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons...

      12. The Town and Country Planning Act 1971

        1. 12.In section 223(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act...

      13. The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972

        1. 13.In section 212(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)...

      14. The Land Compensation Act 1973

        1. 14.(1) In section 44(2) of the Land Compensation Act 1973...

      15. The Fair Trading Act 1973

        1. 15.(1) The Director General of Fair Trading shall consult with...

      16. The Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1973

        1. 16.(1) In section 41(2) of the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act...

      17. The Local Government Act 1974

        1. 17.In Schedule 3 to the Local Government Act 1974 (hereditaments...

      18. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

        1. 18.At the end of section 34 of the Health and...

      19. The Consumer Credit Act 1974

        1. 19.In section 174(3)(a) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (exceptions...

      20. The Oil Taxation Act 1975

        1. 20.In paragraph 2A(4) of Schedule 3 to the Oil Taxation...

      21. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975

        1. 21.In Schedule 1 to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975—...

      22. The Coal Industry Act 1975

        1. 22.Paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 1 to the Coal Industry Act...

      23. The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976

        1. 23.In section 41(1)(a) of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976...

      24. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

        1. 24.In section 33 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act...

      25. The Land Drainage Act 1976

        1. 25.In section 112(2)(a) of the Land Drainage Act 1976 (protection...

      26. The Energy Act 1976

        1. 26.(1) In section 9(1) of the Energy Act 1976 (liquefaction...

      27. The Estate Agents Act 1979

        1. 27.In section 10(3)(a) of the Estate Agents Act 1979 (exceptions...

      28. The Competition Act 1980

        1. 28.(1) In subsection (2)(a) of section 19 of the Competition...

      29. The Acquisition of Land Act 1981

        1. 29.In section 28 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981...

      30. The Building Act 1984

        1. 30.In section 80(3) of the Building Act 1984 (notice to...

      31. The Insolvency Act 1985

        1. 31.In sections 97(2)(a) and 200(4)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1985...

      32. The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985

        1. 32.In section 70(4)(a) of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (supplies...

    8. SCHEDULE 8

      Transitional Provisions and Savings

      1. PART I Provisions and Savings Coming into Force on Appointed Day

        1. 1.(1) A notification received or given by the Secretary of...

        2. 2.A consent given or having effect as if given under...

        3. 3.Any regulations made under section 25 of the 1972 Act...

        4. 4.Any regulations made or having effect as if made under...

        5. 5.Any meter which immediately before the appointed day is, or...

        6. 6.(1) This paragraph applies to any regulations made or having...

        7. 7.(1) A direction given by the Secretary of State under...

        8. 8.(1) A notice given to the Secretary of State under...

        9. 9.A direction given by the Secretary of State under section...

        10. 10.Any maximum prices fixed by the Corporation under paragraph 12...

        11. 11.Any office fixed or address published before the appointed day...

        12. 12.(1) Where immediately before the appointed day there is in...

        13. 13.Where— (a) any sum was deposited with the Corporation by...

        14. 14.The repeal by this Act of section 43 of the...

        15. 15.The repeal by this Act of section 46 of the...

        16. 16.The repeal by this Act of Schedule 4 to the...

        17. 17.The repeal by this Act of any provision by virtue...

      2. PART II Provisions and Savings Coming into Force on Transfer Date

        1. 18.An authorisation granted under section 7 of this Act to...

        2. 19.A declaration made by the Corporation in accordance with regulations...

        3. 20.A tariff fixed, or having effect as fixed, under section...

        4. 21.A direction given, or haying effect as if given, under...

        5. 22.(1) A notice given, or having effect as if given,...

        6. 23.A direction given, or having effect as if given, under...

        7. 24.Any office fixed or address published by the Corporation for...

        8. 25.A direction given under section 63 of this Act to...

        9. 26.A compulsory purchase order made by the Corporation which was...

        10. 27.(1) Where immediately before the transfer date there is in...

        11. 28.(1) Any agreement made, transaction effected or other thing done...

        12. 29.It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt that—...

        13. 30.(1) Any certificate issued or other thing done in pursuance...

        14. 31.(1) It shall be the duty of the Corporation and...

        15. 32.(1) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 8...

        16. 33.Where by virtue of anything done before the transfer date,...

        17. 34.Every provision contained in a local Act, or in subordinate...

        18. 35.(1) Nothing in this Act shall affect the validity of...

        19. 36.(1) For the purposes of section 33 of the General...

        20. 37.(1) Where an asset, or the right to receive an...

        21. 38.An order under section 19 of the Local Government Act...

        22. 39.An order under section 6 of the Local Government (Scotland)...

        23. 40.The repeal by this Act of section 10 of and...

        24. 41.(1) Where a distribution is proposed to be declared during...

    9. SCHEDULE 9

      Repeals

      1. PART I Repeals Coming into Force on Appointed Day

      2. PART II Repeals Coming into Force on Transfer Date

      3. PART III Repeals Coming into Force on Dissolution of British Gas Corporation

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