s 46 Power to recover gas charges, etc.
46.—(1) Where —(a) a demand in writing is made by a gas retailer for the payment of any of the charges due to it from a consumer in respect of the supply of gas to the consumer’s premises; and (b) the consumer does not pay those charges within 28 days after the making of the demand, subsections (3) and (4) apply. (2) Where —(a) a written request is made by a gas retailer for the provision of a deposit by way of reasonable security for the payment of the charges due to it from a consumer in respect of the supply of gas to the consumer’s premises; and (b) the consumer does not provide such a deposit within 7 days after the making of the request, subsection (3) applies. (3) If the gas retailer is a relevant gas retailer, it may, after giving not less than 7 days’ notice of its intention —(a) discontinue the supply to the consumer’s premises or any other premises occupied by the consumer; and (b) recover any expenses incurred in so doing from the consumer. (4) If —(a) the gas retailer is not a relevant gas retailer but another gas retailer (the new gas retailer) is such a gas retailer; and (b) the gas retailer has assigned to the new gas retailer its right to recover any of the charges due to it from the consumer, subsection (3) applies as if any reference to the gas retailer were a reference to the new gas retailer. (5) The powers conferred by subsections (3) and (4) are not exercisable in respect of any charges or deposit the amount of which is genuinely in dispute.