27InspectorsU.K.
[F1(1)The following may appoint persons to act as inspectors to assist in carrying out their respective functions under this Chapter—
(a)the OGA,
(b)the Scottish Ministers,
(c)the Welsh Ministers, and
(d)the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland.]
[F1(2)The following may make payments, by way of remuneration or otherwise, to inspectors appointed by them under this section—
(a)the Scottish Ministers,
(b)the Welsh Ministers, and
(c)the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland.]
(3)The Secretary of State may make regulations about—
(a)the powers and duties of inspectors appointed under this section;
(b)the powers and duties of any other person acting on the directions of the [F2OGA] in connection with a function under this Chapter;
(c)the facilities and assistance to be accorded to persons mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).
(4)The powers conferred by virtue of subsection (3) may include powers of a kind specified in section 108(4) of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25) (powers of entry, investigation, etc).
(5)Any regulations under this section may provide for the creation of offences which are punishable—
(a)on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or such lesser amount as is specified in the regulations, and
(b)on conviction on indictment by a fine.
(6)[F3Subsections (3) to (5) apply] in relation to the Scottish Ministers and the functions of the Scottish Ministers under this Chapter as [F4they apply] in relation to the Secretary of State and the functions of the Secretary of State under this Chapter [F5(reading the reference to the OGA in subsection (3)(b) as a reference to the Secretary of State)].
F6(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1S. 27(1)(2) substituted (1.10.2016) by Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(2); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
F2Word in s. 27(3)(b) substituted (1.10.2016) by Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(3); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
F3Words in s. 27(6) substituted (1.10.2016) by Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(4)(a); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
F4Words in s. 27(6) substituted (1.10.2016) by Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(4)(b); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
F5Words in s. 27(6) inserted (1.10.2016) by Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(4)(c); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
F6S. 27(7) omitted (1.10.2016) by virtue of Energy Act 2016 (c. 20), s. 84(3), Sch. 1 para. 57(5); S.I. 2016/920, reg. 2(a)
Commencement Information
I1S. 27 in force at 6.4.2009 by S.I. 2009/45, art. 4(a)(ii)