Gas Act 1995

• Citation: 1995 c. 45
• Sections: 159

Section 3 Prohibition on unlicensed activities.

(1) For section 5 of the 1986 Act there shall be substituted the following section—

Licensing of activities relating to gas

Prohibition on unlicensed activities

(5)

(1) Subject to section 6A below and Schedule 2A to this Act, a person who—

(a) conveys gas through pipes to any premises, or to a pipe-line system operated by a public gas transporter;

(b) supplies to any premises gas which has been conveyed to those premises through pipes; or

(c) arranges with a public gas transporter for gas to be introduced into, conveyed by means of or taken out of a pipe-line system operated by that transporter,

shall be guilty of an offence unless he is authorised to do so by a licence.

(2) The exceptions to subsection (1) above which are contained in Schedule 2A to this Act shall have effect.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) No proceedings shall be instituted in England and Wales in respect of an offence under this section except by or on behalf of the Secretary of State or the Director.

(5) Any reference in this Part to the conveyance by any person of gas through pipes to any premises is a reference to the conveyance by him of gas through pipes to those premises with a view to the gas being supplied to those premises by any person, or being used in those premises by the holder of a licence under section 7A(2) below.

(2) After Schedule 2 to that Act there shall be inserted, as Schedule 2A, the provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act (exceptions to prohibition on unlicensed activities).

(3) Section 6 of that Act (which is superseded by this section) shall cease to have effect.

Section 4 Exemptions from prohibition.

For section 6A of the 1986 Act there shall be substituted the following section—

Exemptions from prohibition.

(6A)

(1) The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Director, by order grant exemption from paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of section 5(1) above—

(a) either to a person or to persons of a class;

(b) either generally or to such extent as may be specified in the order; and

(c) either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as may be so specified.

(2) An exemption granted to persons of a class, and the revocation of such an exemption, shall be published in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons of that class.

(3) An exemption, unless previously revoked in accordance with any term contained in the exemption, shall continue in force for such period as may be specified in or determined by or under the exemption.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) above, conditions included by virtue of that paragraph in an exemption may require any person carrying on any activity in pursuance of the exemption—

(a) to comply with any direction given by the Secretary of State or the Director as to such matters as are specified in the exemption or are of a description so specified;

(b) except in so far as the Secretary of State or the Director consents to his doing or not doing them, not to do or to do such things as are specified in the exemption or are of a description so specified; and

(c) to refer for determination by the Secretary of State or the Director such questions arising under the exemption as are specified in the exemption or are of a description so specified.

(5) If any condition of an exemption granted to persons of a class is not complied with by any person of that class, the Secretary of State may give to that person a direction declaring that the exemption is revoked, so far as relating to that person, to such extent and as from such date as may be specified in the direction.

Section 5 Licensing of public gas transporters.

For section 7 of the 1986 Act there shall be substituted the following section—

Licensing of public gas transporters.

(7)

(1) In this Part “ public gas transporter ” means the holder of a licence under this section except where the holder is acting otherwise than for purposes connected with—

(a) the carrying on of activities authorised by the licence;

(b) the conveyance of gas through pipes which—

(i) are situated in an authorised area of his; or

(ii) are situated in an area which was an authorised area of his, or an authorised area of a previous holder of the licence, and were so situated at a time when it was such an area; or

(c) the conveyance through pipes of gas which is in the course of being conveyed to or from a country or territory outside Great Britain.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Director may grant a licence authorising any person to do either or both of the following, namely—

(a) to convey gas through pipes to any premises in an authorised area of his, that is to say, so much of any area specified in the licence or an extension of the licence as is not specified in a subsequent licence or extension granted under this section to another person; and

(b) to convey gas through pipes either to any pipe-line system operated by another public gas transporter, or to any pipe-line system so operated which is specified in the licence or an extension of the licence.

(3) A licence shall not be granted under this section to a person who is the holder of a licence under section 7A below.

(4) The Director may, with the consent of the licence holder, direct that any licence under this section shall have effect—

(a) as if any area or pipe-line system specified in the direction were specified in the licence;

(b) in the case of a licence under subsection (2)(a) above, as if it were also a licence under subsection (2)(b) above and any pipe-line system specified in the direction were specified in the licence; or

(c) in the case of a licence under subsection (2)(b) above, as if it were also a licence under subsection (2)(a) above and any area specified in the direction were specified in the licence;

and references in this Part to, or to the grant of, an extension under this section, or an extension of such a licence, shall be construed as references to, or to the giving of, such a direction.

(5) Before granting a licence or extension under this section, the Director shall give notice—

(a) stating that he proposes to grant the licence or extension;

(b) stating the reasons why he proposes to grant the licence or extension; and

(c) specifying the time from the date of publication of the notice (not being less than two months or, in the case of an extension, such shorter time as may be prescribed) within which represent- ations or objections with respect to the proposed licence or extension may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(6) A notice under subsection (5) above shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Director considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the grant of the licence or extension; and

(b) by sending a copy of the notice to the Secretary of State, to the Health and Safety Executive and to any public gas transporter whose area includes the whole or any part of the area proposed to be specified in the licence or extension.

(7) A licence or extension under this section shall not specify any area which is specified in an earlier licence or extension granted under this section to another public gas transporter unless the Director considers that the applicant intends to carry on the activities authorised by the licence in a substantial part of that area.

(8) A licence or extension under this section shall not specify any area which is situated within 23 metres from a main of another public gas transporter unless—

(a) the other public gas transporter has consented in writing to the area being so specified; or

(b) no premises connected to the main are situated in the area and the Director considers—

(i) that the main is not, and is not intended to be, a relevant main;

(ii) that the other public gas transporter is not performing his duty under section 9(1) or 10(2) or (3) below in relation to any premises situated in the area; or

(iii) that the configuration of the main and of the surrounding area is such that it would be appropriate to specify the area in the licence or extension.

(9) As soon as practicable after the granting of a licence under this section, the public gas transporter shall publish, in such manner as the Director considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons who are likely to do business with the transporter, a notice—

(a) stating that the licence has been granted; and

(b) explaining that, as a result, it might be necessary for those persons to be licensed under section 7A below.

(10) In this section—

(a) “ relevant main ” has the same meaning as in section 10 below;

(b) references to an area specified in a licence or direction include references to an area included in an area so specified; and

(c) references to a pipe-line system specified in a licence or direction include references to a pipe-line system of a description, or situated in an area, so specified.

(11) Any reference in this Part (however expressed) to activities authorised by a licence under this section shall be construed without regard to any exception contained in Schedule 2A to this Act.

Section 6 Licensing of gas suppliers and gas shippers.

(1) After section 7 of the 1986 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

Licensing of gas suppliers and gas shippers.

(7A)

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Director may grant a licence authorising any person to do either or both of the following, namely—

(a) to supply, to any premises specified in the licence, gas which has been conveyed through pipes to those premises; and

(b) to supply, to any premises at a rate which, at the time when he undertakes to give the supply, he reasonably expects to exceed 2,500 therms a year, gas which has been conveyed through pipes to those premises.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Director may grant a licence authorising any person to arrange with any public gas transporter for gas to be introduced into, conveyed by means of or taken out of a pipe-line system operated by that transporter, either generally or for purposes connected with the supply of gas to any premises specified in the licence.

(3) A licence shall not be granted under this section to a person who is the holder of a licence under section 7 above.

(4) The Director may, with the consent of the licence holder, direct that any licence under this section shall have effect—

(a) as if any premises specified in the direction were specified in the licence; or

(b) in the case of a licence under subsection (1)(b) above, as if it were also a licence under subsection (1)(a) above and any premises specified in the direction were specified in the licence,

and references in this Part to, or to the grant of, an extension under this section, or an extension of such a licence, shall be construed as references to, or to the giving of, such a direction.

(5) Subsection (4) above shall not apply in relation to a licence under subsection (1) above which authorises only the supply to premises of gas which has been conveyed to the premises otherwise than by a public gas transporter.

(6) The Director may, with the consent of the licence holder, direct that any licence under this section shall have effect as if any premises specified in the direction were not specified in the licence; and references in this Part to, or to the grant of, a restriction under this section, or a restriction of such a licence, shall be construed as references to, or to the giving of, such a direction.

(7) In this section references to premises specified in a licence or direction include references to premises of a description, or situated in an area, so specified.

(8) The Director shall not, in any licence under subsection (1) above, or in any extension or restriction of such a licence, specify any premises by description or area if he is of the opinion that the description or area has been so framed as—

(a) in the case of a licence or extension, artificially to exclude from the licence or extension; or

(b) in the case of a restriction, artificially to include in the restriction,

premises likely to be owned or occupied by persons who are chronically sick, disabled or of pensionable age, or who are likely to default in the payment of charges.

(9) If the holder of a licence under subsection (1) above applies to the Director for a restriction of the licence, or for the revocation of the licence in accordance with any term contained in it, the Director shall, subject to subsection (8) above, accede to the application if he is satisfied that such arrangements have been made as—

(a) will secure continuity of supply for all relevant consumers; and

(b) in the case of each such consumer who is supplied with gas in pursuance of a contract, will secure such continuity on the same terms as nearly as may be as the terms of the contract.

(10) A person is a relevant consumer for the purposes of subsection (9) above if—

(a) immediately before the restriction or revocation takes effect, he is being supplied with gas by the holder of the licence; and

(b) in the case of a restriction, his premises are excluded from the licence by the restriction;

and in that subsection “ contract ” does not include any contract which, by virtue of paragraph 8 of Schedule 2B to this Act, is deemed to have been made.

(11) In this Part “ gas supplier ” and “ gas shipper ” mean respectively the holder of a licence under subsection (1) above, and the holder of a licence under subsection (2) above, except (in either case) where the holder is acting otherwise than for purposes connected with the carrying on of activities authorised by the licence.

(12) Any reference in this Part (however expressed) to activities authorised by a licence under subsection (1) above shall be construed without regard to any exception contained in Schedule 2A to this Act.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) to (6) below, no domestic supply licence shall authorise the supply of gas to any premises before the relevant date, that is to say, 1st January 1999 or, if the Secretary of State by order so provides, such earlier date (not earlier than 1st January 1998) as may be determined by or under the order.

(3) Subsection (2) above shall not apply in relation to a domestic supply licence in so far as it relates to—

(a) any premises to which subsection (4) below applies; or

(b) any premises to which that subsection has ceased to apply at any time and which are situated in an area which has not, at that or any later time, ceased to be an authorised area of a particular public gas transporter.

(4) This subsection applies to any premises at any time if, at that time, the public gas transporter in whose authorised area the premises are situated is an associate of the holder of the domestic supply licence in question.

(5) Subsection (2) above shall not apply in relation to a domestic supply licence in so far as it relates to any premises to which gas is conveyed otherwise than by a public gas transporter.

(6) In so far as a domestic supply licence relates to premises which are situated in any area specified in an order made by the Secretary of State, subsection (2) above shall apply in relation to the licence as if for the relevant date there were substituted such earlier date as may be determined, in relation to that area, by or under the order.

(7) Any reference in this section to a domestic supply licence includes a reference to an extension of such a licence (within the meaning of Part I of the 1986 Act).

(8) In this section—

“ domestic supply licence ” means a licence granted under subsection (1)(a) of section 7A of the 1986 Act, a licence having effect as such a licence by virtue of a direction given under subsection (4)(b) of that section, or a licence treated as so granted by virtue of a scheme made under paragraph 4 or 16 of Schedule 5 to this Act;

“ public gas transporter ”, and “ authorised area ” in relation to such a transporter, have the same meanings as in Part I of that Act.

(9) For the purposes of this section a public gas transporter is an associate of the holder of a domestic supply licence if—

(a) both of them are companies registered under the Companies Act 1985 and are limited by shares; and

(b) either one company is wholly owned by the other or both companies are wholly owned by the same person.

(10) An order under this section may—

(a) provide for anything falling to be determined under the order to be determined by the Authority ; and

(b) make such supplementary or incidental provision as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient.

(11) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Section 7 Licences: general.

After section 7A of the 1986 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

Licences: general.

(7B)

(1) An application for a licence or an extension or restriction of a licence shall be made in such form and manner, and shall contain, or be accompanied by, such information and documents and such fee (if any), as may be prescribed.

(2) Within the prescribed period after the making of an application for a licence or an extension or restriction of a licence, the applicant shall—

(a) publish a notice of the application in the prescribed manner; and

(b) in the case of an application for a licence or extension under section 7 above, give notice of the application to any public gas transporter whose authorised area includes the whole or any part of the area to which the application relates.

(3) A licence or an extension or restriction of a licence shall be in writing and, unless revoked or suspended in accordance with any term contained in it, a licence shall continue in force for such period as may be specified in or determined by or under the licence.

(4) A licence may include—

(a) such conditions (whether or not relating to the activities authorised by the licence) as appear to the Director to be requisite or expedient having regard to the duties imposed by section 4 or 4A above;

(b) such conditions requiring arrangements to be made with respect to the provision of special services for meeting the needs of consumers of gas conveyed through pipes who are chronically sick, disabled or of pensionable age as appear to the Director to be requisite or expedient having regard to those duties;

(c) conditions requiring the rendering to the Director of a payment on the grant of the licence or payments during the currency of the licence or both of such amount or amounts as may be determined by or under the licence; and

(d) conditions requiring the holder to furnish the Council in such manner and at such times with such information—

(i) as appears to the Director to be requisite or expedient for the purpose of facilitating the exercise by the Council of the functions assigned to it by this Part; or

(ii) as may be reasonably required by the Council for that purpose.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a) of subsection (4) above—

(a) conditions included by virtue of that paragraph in a licence may—

(i) require the holder to comply with any direction given by the Director or the Secretary of State as to such matters as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified;

(ii) require the holder, except in so far as the Director or the Secretary of State consents to his doing or not doing them, not to do or to do such things as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified; and

(iii) provide for the determination by the Director, the Secretary of State or the Health and Safety Executive of such questions arising under the licence, or under any document specified or described in the licence, as are specified in the licence or are of a description so specified; and

(b) conditions included by virtue of that paragraph in a licence under section 7 above may require the holder, in such circumstances as are specified in the licence—

(i) so to increase his charges for the conveyance of gas as to raise such amounts as may be determined by or under the conditions; and

(ii) to pay the amounts so raised to such holders of licences under section 7A above as may be so determined.

(6) Conditions included in a licence may—

(a) impose requirements by reference to designation, acceptance or approval by the Director, the Secretary of State or the Health and Safety Executive; and

(b) provide for references in the conditions to any document specified or described in the licence to operate as references to that document as revised or re-issued from time to time.

(7) Conditions included in a licence may contain provision for the conditions to—

(a) have effect or cease to have effect at such times and in such circumstances as may be determined by or under the conditions; or

(b) be modified in such manner as may be specified in the conditions at such times and in such circumstances as may be so determined.

(8) Any provision included in a licence by virtue of subsection (7) above shall have effect in addition to the provision made by this Part with respect to the modification of the conditions of a licence.

(9) As soon as practicable after granting a licence or an extension or restriction of a licence, the Director shall send a copy of the licence or extension or restriction—

(a) to the Health and Safety Executive; and

(b) in the case of a licence or extension under section 7 above, to any public gas transporter whose authorised area previously included the whole or any part of the area specified in the licence or extension.

(10) Any sums received by the Director under or by virtue of this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Section 8 Standard conditions of licences.

(1) For section 8 of the 1986 Act there shall be substituted the following section—

Standard conditions of licences.

(8)

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and sections 23(2), 26(1A) and 27(2) below, each condition which by virtue of section 8(2) of the Gas Act 1995 is a standard condition for the purposes of—

(a) licences under section 7 above;

(b) licences under subsection (1) of section 7A above; or

(c) licences under subsection (2) of that section,

shall be incorporated (that is to say, incorporated by reference) in each licence under that section or, as the case may be, that subsection.

(2) Subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to a licence under section 7A(1) above which authorises only the supply to premises of gas which has been conveyed to the premises otherwise than by a public gas transporter.

(3) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Director may, in granting a licence, modify any of the standard conditions to such extent as he considers requisite to meet the circumstances of the particular case.

(4) Before making any modifications under subsection (3) above, the Director shall give notice—

(a) stating that he proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;

(b) stating the reasons why he proposes to make the modifications; and

(c) specifying the time (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(5) A notice under subsection (4) above shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Director considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and

(b) by sending a copy of the notice to the Secretary of State, to the Health and Safety Executive and to the Council.

(6) If, within the time specified in the notice under subsection (4) above, the Secretary of State directs the Director not to make any modification, the Director shall comply with the direction.

(7) The Director shall not make any modifications under subsection (3) above of a condition of a licence under subsection (1) or (2) of section 7A above unless he is of the opinion that the modifications are such that no other holder of such a licence would be unduly disadvantaged in competing with other holders of such licences (including the holder of the licence).

(8) The modification under subsection (3) above of a condition of a licence shall not prevent so much of the condition as is not so modified being regarded as a standard condition for the purposes of this Part.

(9) In this section “ modify ” includes fail to incorporate and “ modification ” shall be construed accordingly.

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Section 9 The gas code.

(1) After section 8A of the 1986 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

The gas code

The gas code.

(8B) The provisions of Schedule 2B to this Act (which relate to rights and obligations of licence holders and consumers and related matters) shall have effect.

(2) After Schedule 2A to that Act there shall be inserted, as Schedule 2B, the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act (the gas code).

(3) Section 15 of and Schedule 5 to that Act (which are superseded by this section) shall cease to have effect.

(4) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that any of the provisions of paragraphs 22 and 27(3) of Schedule 2B to the 1986 Act have been or will be superseded by regulations under section 18 or 18A of that Act, he may by order made by statutory instrument provide that those provisions shall cease to have effect as from such date after the coming into force of the regulations as may be specified in the order.

Section 10 Other amendments of Part I of 1986 Act.

(1) Schedule 3 to this Act (which contains other amendments of Part I of the 1986 Act) shall have effect.

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Section 11 Amendments of Part III of 1986 Act. 1976 c.34.

(1) In subsection (2) of section 62 of the 1986 Act (exclusion of certain agreements from Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976), for paragraph (b) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

(b) is or was an agreement containing provisions relating to, or to activities connected with, the supply otherwise than under a licence granted under section 7A(1) above of gas won under the authority of a petroleum production licence;

(2) After subsection (2) of that section there shall be inserted the following subsections—

(2A) The said Act of 1976 shall not apply, and shall be deemed never to have applied, to any agreement which—

(a) is or was made on or after 2nd March 1995;

(b) is or was an agreement containing provisions relating to, or to activities connected with—

(i) the introduction of gas into;

(ii) the taking out of gas from; or

(iii) the use by gas shippers of,

a pipe-line system or storage facility operated by a public gas transporter; and

(c) is specified, or is of a description specified, in an order made by the Secretary of State and satisfies such conditions as may be so specified.

(2B) Before making an order under subsection (2) or (2A) above, the Secretary of State shall consult the Director and the Director General of Fair Trading.

(3) In subsection (3) of that section—

(a) after the words “subsection (2)” there shall be inserted the words “ or (2A) ” ; and

(b) after the words “the Secretary of State” there shall be inserted the words “ , the Director or the Director General of Fair Trading ” .

(4) In subsection (6) of that section, after the definition of “gas” there shall be inserted the following definitions—

“ gas shipper ” and “ public gas transporter ” have the same meanings as in Part I of this Act;

(5) Subsection (7) of that section shall cease to have effect.

(6) Section 63 of the 1986 Act (restrictions on use of certain information) shall cease to have effect.

(7) In section 64 of that Act (provisions as to orders), in subsection (2), the words “20(9)” shall cease to have effect.

Section 12 Acquisition of rights to use gas processing facilities for downstream purposes .

(1) The owner of a gas processing facility which processes gas for a downstream purpose —

(a) shall publish at least once in every year the main commercial conditions relating to the grant to another person of a right to have gas processed by the facility for such a purpose ; and

(b) shall publish any changes to the published conditions as soon as they become effective.

(1ZA) At least two months before publishing those conditions or any changes to them under subsection (1), the owner of the facility must—

(a) publish a draft of the proposed conditions or changes; and

(b) inform any person who has a right to have gas processed by the facility that the draft has been published.

(1ZB) The owner of the facility must take into account any representations received about the proposed conditions or changes before publishing them, or a modified version of them, as final conditions or changes under subsection (1).

(1A) In subsection (1) “year” means any year ending with 9th August.

(1B) Any person who seeks a right to have gas processed for a downstream purpose by a gas processing facility (“the applicant”) shall, before making an application to the Authority under subsection (1F), apply to the owner of the facility for the right.

(1C) An application under subsection (1B) shall be made by giving notice in writing to the owner specifying what is being sought.

(1D) The notice shall, in particular, specify—

(a) the period during which the gas is to be processed by the facility;

(b) the kind of gas to be processed (which must be of, or similar to, the kind which the facility is designed to process); ...

(c) the quantities of gas to be processed ; and

(d) that the gas is to be processed for a downstream purpose

(1E) Where a person gives notice under subsection (1C), he and the owner of the gas processing facility shall negotiate in good faith and endeavour to reach agreement on the application.

(1F) If the owner and the applicant do not reach any such agreement, the applicant may apply to the Authority for directions under this section which would secure to the applicant the right specified in the notice under subsection (1C).

(1G) the Authority shall not entertain such an application unless it is satisfied that the parties have had a reasonable time in which to fulfil their duties under subsection (1E).

(2) Where an application is made under subsection (1F) , it shall be the duty of the Authority —

(a) to decide whether the application is to be adjourned (so as to enable ... further negotiations to take place), considered further or rejected;

(b) to give notice of its decision to the applicant; and

(c) in the case of a decision that the application is to be considered further, to give to the owner of the facility, to any person who has a right to have gas processed by the facility, and to the Health and Safety Executive, notice that the application is to be so considered and an opportunity of being heard about the matter.

(3) Where, after further considering an application under subsection (1F) , the Authority is satisfied that the giving of directions under this section would not prejudice the efficient operation of the facility, or the processing by the facility of—

(a) the quantities of gas which the owner of the facility or any associate of the owner requires or may reasonably be expected to require to be processed by the facility for the purposes of any business carried on by him; and

(b) the quantities of gas which any person who is not such an associate and has a right to have gas processed by the facility is entitled to require to be so processed in the exercise of that right,

the Authority may give such directions to the owner of the facility.

(4) Directions under this section may—

(a) specify the terms on which the Authority considers the owner of the facility should enter into an agreement with the applicant for all or any of the following purposes—

(i) for securing to the applicant the right to have processed by the facility, during the period specified in the directions and in the quantities so specified, gas which is of a kind so specified;

(ii) for securing that the exercise of that right is not prevented or impeded;

(iii) for regulating the charges which may be made for the processing of gas by virtue of that right;

(iv) for securing to the applicant such ancillary or incidental rights as the Authority considers necessary or expedient, which may include the right to have a pipe-line of his connected to the facility by the owner;

(b) specify the sums or the method of determining the sums which the Authority considers should be paid by way of consideration for any such right; and

(c) require the owner, if the applicant pays or agrees to pay those sums within a period specified in that behalf in the directions, to enter into an agreement with him on the terms so specified.

(5) Sections 28 to 30F of the 1986 Act (enforcement of relevant requirements etc ) apply in relation to the owner of a gas processing facility as if—

(a) references to “a licence holder” were references to the owner of the facility; and

(b) references to a “relevant requirement” were references to a requirement imposed on the owner under this section.

(5A) For the purposes of this section, gas is processed for “a downstream purpose” if it is processed with a view to its being put into a gas storage facility, an LNG import or export facility, a gas interconnector or a distribution system pipeline.

(6) In this section—

“ authorised transporter ” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the 1986 Act;

“ distribution system operator ” has the meaning given by Article 2(6) of Directive 2009/73/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/ EC ;

“ distribution system pipeline ” means a pipeline operated by an authorised transporter who is a distribution system operator;

“ gas ” means any substance which is or (if it were in a gaseous state) would be gas within the meaning of Part I of the 1986 Act;

“ gas interconnector ” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the 1986 Act;

“ gas processing facility ” means any facility which —

carries out gas processing operations;

is operated otherwise than by a gas transporter; and

is not an LNG import or export facility;

“ gas processing operation ” means any of the following operations, namely—

purifying, blending, odorising or compressing gas for the purpose of enabling it to be introduced into a pipe-line system operated by a public gas transporter or to be conveyed to an electricity generating station, a gas storage facility or any place outside Great Britain;

removing from gas for that purpose any of its constituent gases, or separating from gas for that purpose any oil or water; ...

determining the quantity or quality of gas which is or is to be so introduced, or so conveyed, whether generally or by or on behalf of a particular person,

separating, purifying, blending, odorising or compressing gas, for the purpose of—

converting it into a form in which a purchaser is willing to accept delivery from a seller, or

enabling it to be loaded for conveyance to another place (whether inside or outside Great Britain); and

loading gas—

at a facility which carries out operations of a kind mentioned in paragraph (d), or

piped from such a facility, and

for the purpose of enabling the gas to be conveyed to another place (whether inside or outside Great Britain);

and “ process ”, in relation to gas, shall be construed accordingly;

“ gas storage facility ” means a facility in Great Britain (including the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain and the sea in any area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964) for either or both of the following—

the importation into Great Britain and regasification of liquid gas prior to its conveyance to a pipeline system operated by the holder of a licence under section 7 or section 7ZA of the 1986 Act, or the liquefaction of gas for the purpose of its export from Great Britain; and

any activity, including temporary storage of gas or liquid gas, which is necessary for that importation, regasification or liquefaction;

“ LNG import or export facility ” means a facility in Great Britain (including the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain and the sea in any area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964) for—

the importation into Great Britain and regasification of liquid gas prior to its conveyance to a pipeline system operated by the holder of a licence under section 7 or section 7ZA of the 1986 Act, or the liquefaction of gas for the purpose of its export from Great Britain; and

any activity, including temporary storage of gas or liquid gas, which is necessary for that importation, regasification or liquefaction;

“main commercial conditions” means—

such information as would enable a potential applicant for a right to have gas processed by a gas processing facility to make a reasonable assessment of the cost of, or the method of calculating the cost of, acquiring that right;

the other significant terms on which such a right would be granted; and

such other information as the Authority may from time to time specify by notice;

“ owner ”, in relation to a gas processing facility, includes a lessee and any person occupying or having control of the facility;

“ pipe-line ” has the same meaning as in the Pipe-lines Act 1962;

“ public gas transporter ” has the same meaning as in Part I of the 1986 Act.

“ storage ”, in relation to liquid gas in a gas storage facility, includes any liquefaction of gas or regasification of liquid gas ancillary to the storage of liquid gas, and “ stored ”, in relation to liquid gas in a gas storage facility, shall be construed accordingly;

“ the Authority ” means the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority;

(6A) Subsections (1) to (3) of section 49 of the Pipe-lines Act 1962 (service of documents) shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that Act.

(7) Section 91 of the Energy Act 2011 (meaning of “associate”) applies for the purposes of subsection (3) of this section as it applies for the purposes of section 82(7)(d) and (9)(a) of that Act.

(8) In relation to any time before the appointed day, this section shall have effect as if for the words “public gas transporter”, in each place where they occur, there were substituted the words “public gas supplier”.

Section 13 Duty of Authority to advise etc.

It shall be the duty of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority , where either it considers it expedient or it is requested by the Secretary of State to do so, to give information, advice and assistance to the Secretary of State with respect to any matter in respect of which any function of the Secretary of State under this Act is exercisable.

Section 14 Financial provisions.

There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other Act.

Section 15 Interpretation.

In this Act—

“ the 1986 Act ” means the Gas Act 1986;

“ the appointed day ” means the day appointed under section 18(2) below.

Section 16 Minor and consequential amendments.

(1) The enactments and instrument specified in Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments there specified (being minor amendments or amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Act).

(2) The Secretary of State may by order make such consequential modifications of any provision contained in any public general Act passed before the appointed day as appear to him necessary or expedient in respect of—

(a) any reference in that provision to a public gas supplier;

(b) any reference in that provision (in whatever terms) to a person authorised to supply gas through pipes by virtue of section 7 or 8 of the 1986 Act; or

(c) any reference in that provision (in whatever terms) to a person carrying on a gas undertaking or to such an undertaking.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order make such consequential modifications of any provision contained in—

(a) any Act passed before the appointed day which is not a public general Act; or

(b) any subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978) made before that day,

as appear to him necessary or expedient.

(4) An order under subsection (2) or (3) above shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Section 17 Transitional provisions, savings and repeals.

(1) The transitional provisions and savings contained in Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect; but those provisions and savings are without prejudice to sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (effect of repeals).

(2) In that Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires, expressions which are also used in the 1986 Act have the same meanings as in that Act.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order make such other transitional provisions and savings as appear to him necessary or expedient.

(4) An order under subsection (3) above shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) The enactments specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Section 18 Short title, commencement and extent.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Gas Act 1995.

(2) This Act, except—

(a) this section;

(b) sections 8(2), 11(1) to (5), 12 and 13;

(c) section 17(1) and (2) and Schedule 5; and

(d) so far as relating to the repeal of section 62(7) of the 1986 Act, section 17(5) and Schedule 6,

shall come into force on the appointed day, that is to say, such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument under this subsection appoint.

(3) Without prejudice to section 13 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (anticipatory exercise of powers), any power conferred on the Secretary of State or the Director by a provision of this Act which comes into force by virtue of subsection (2) above may be exercised before the appointed day provided that nothing done in the exercise of that power has effect before that day.

(4) Section 12 above shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument under this subsection appoint.

(5) This Act, except—

(a) this section;

(b) subsections (1) to (6) of section 11;

(c) paragraphs 1 to 3, 6, 7, 23 and 30 of Schedule 5 and section 17(1) and (2) so far as relating to those paragraphs; and

(d) Schedule 6 and section 17(5) so far as relating to the repeals of paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 to the Fair Trading Act 1973 and sections 62(7) and 63 of and paragraph 15(4) of Schedule 7 to the 1986 Act,

does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Section 1

Section 5(1) of this Act is not contravened by a person—

(a) conveying within a building or part of a building in which he has an interest; or

(b) supplying for use in such a building or part of a building,

gas supplied to the building by a person authorised to supply it by or under section 6A or 7A of this Act or this Schedule.

Section 2

Section 5(1) of this Act is not contravened by a company conveying or supplying gas to any premises occupied by a subsidiary or holding company of the company, or by a subsidiary of a holding company of the company.

Section 3

(1) Section 5(1) of this Act is not contravened by a person conveying or supplying to any premises gas which consists wholly or mainly of propane or butane.

(2) In the case of a supply, this paragraph does not apply unless—

(a) the contract for the supply contains provisions empowering a person authorised by the supplier to enter the premises where in his opinion it is necessary to do so for the purpose of averting danger to life or property;

(b) those provisions are in terms approved for the purposes of this paragraph by the Secretary of State; and

(c) the gas is conveyed to the premises otherwise than by a public gas transporter.

Section 4

Section 5(1) of this Act is not contravened by a person conveying gas to any premises at any time if they are supplied with gas at a rate which, at any time within the period of 12 months immediately preceding that time, he reasonably expected to exceed 75,000 therms a year.

Section 5

(1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies where a person (in this paragraph referred to as a “supplier”) notifies the Director—

(a) that he proposes to undertake a supply of gas to any premises at a rate in excess of 2,000,000 therms a year (in this paragraph referred to as “ the required rate ”); or

(b) that, in such circumstances as may be described in the notification, he would undertake a supply of gas to any premises, at a rate in excess of the required rate, for such period as may be so described.

(2) Section 5(1) of this Act is not contravened by a supply of gas to the premises (or, as the case may require, a supply of gas to the premises in the circumstances and for the period described in the notification) unless, within six weeks of receiving the notification, the Director notifies the supplier either—

(a) that he is of the opinion that the rate of supply to those premises would be unlikely to exceed the required rate; or

(b) that he is unable to form an opinion as to whether the rate of supply to those premises would or would not be likely to exceed the required rate.

(3) Where a supplier has given the Director a notification under sub-paragraph (1)(a) above and—

(a) the rate of supply to the premises to which the notification relates fails to exceed the required rate for three successive periods of twelve months;

(b) the supplier fails to furnish the Director with such information as he may require for the purpose of determining whether the condition in paragraph (a) above is fulfilled; or

(c) the supplier fails to afford to the Director such facilities as he may require for the purpose of verifying any information furnished in pursuance of such a requirement as is mentioned in paragraph (b) above,

the Director may direct that the supplier’s notification shall be treated as invalid for the purposes of that sub-paragraph except as regards gas previously supplied.

(4) As soon as practicable after receiving a notification under sub-paragraph (1) above, giving a notification under sub-paragraph (2) above or giving a direction under sub-paragraph (3) above, the Director shall send a copy of the notification or direction to the Health and Safety Executive.

Section 1

(1) In this Schedule, unless the context otherwise requires—

“ the appointed day ” means the day appointed under section 18(2) of the Gas Act 1995;

“ connect ”, in relation to any premises, means connect to a main of a public gas transporter, whether directly or by means of a service pipe, and “ disconnect ” and “ re-connect ” have corresponding meanings except that they also include discontinuing or, as the case may be, resuming the conveyance of gas to the premises;

“ consumer ” means a person who is supplied with gas conveyed to particular premises (in this Schedule referred to as his premises) by a public gas transporter;

“ relevant gas supplier ” and “ relevant gas shipper ”, in relation to a consumer, mean respectively any gas supplier who is supplying him with gas conveyed to his premises and any gas shipper who has made arrangements in pursuance of which gas is conveyed to those premises.

(2) In so far as the provisions of this Schedule, other than paragraphs 20 to 22 below, apply in relation to a public gas transporter, gas supplier or gas shipper, they shall have effect subject to any conditions of his licence.

Section 2

(1) Every consumer shall take his supply through a meter—

(a) the use of which does not contravene section 17 of this Act; and

(b) which is of a type appropriate for registering the quantity of gas supplied.

(2) In default of the consumer’s doing so or agreeing to do so—

(a) the public gas transporter may disconnect or, as the case may be, refuse to connect his premises; and

(b) any relevant gas supplier may cut off the supply of gas to his premises.

Section 3

(1) Every consumer shall at all times, at his own expense, keep all meters—

(a) which belong to him, or which are lent or hired to him and are owned otherwise than by the public gas transporter or a relevant gas supplier; and

(b) by which the quantity of gas supplied is registered,

in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of gas.

(2) In default of the consumer’s doing so—

(a) the public gas transporter may disconnect his premises; and

(b) any relevant gas supplier may cut off the supply of gas to his premises.

(3) In the case of any consumer, the public gas transporter or any relevant gas supplier shall at all times, without charge to the consumer, keep any meter which is owned by him and is lent or hired to the consumer in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of gas supplied.

(4) Sub-paragraph (3) above is without prejudice to any remedy the transporter or supplier may have against the consumer for failure to take proper care of the meter.

(5) In the case of any consumer, the public gas transporter, any relevant gas supplier and any relevant gas shipper—

(a) shall have power to remove, inspect and re-install any meter by which the quantity of gas supplied is registered; and

(b) shall, while any such meter is removed, fix a substitute meter on the premises;

and, subject to sub-paragraph (6) below, the cost of removing, inspecting and re-installing a meter and of fixing a substitute meter shall be defrayed by the transporter, supplier or shipper.

(6) Where such a meter is removed for the purpose of being examined by a meter examiner in accordance with section 17 of this Act, the expenses incurred in removing, examining and re-installing the meter and fixing a substitute meter shall be defrayed as follows—

(a) if the examination is carried out at the request of any person and the meter is found in proper order, by that person;

(b) if the meter is not so found, by the person required by sub-paragraph (1) or (3) above to keep the meter in proper order.

(7) A meter is found in proper order for the purposes of sub-paragraph (6) above if it is found to register correctly or to register erroneously to a degree not exceeding the degree permitted by regulations under section 17 of this Act.

(8) Nothing in this paragraph shall apply in relation to any meter which, in pursuance of an agreement falling within section 17(14) of this Act, is used for ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied to a consumer if either—

(a) the agreement was entered into before the appointed day; or

(b) the public gas transporter and each relevant gas shipper have agreed that the meter should be kept in proper order by a person other than the consumer.

Section 4

(1) This paragraph applies where a consumer is supplied with gas through a meter at a rate not exceeding 75,000 therms a year.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the register of the meter shall be prima facie evidence of the quantity of gas supplied.

(3) Where the meter is found, when examined by a meter examiner appointed under section 17 of this Act, to register erroneously to a degree exceeding the degree permitted by regulations under that section, the meter shall be deemed to have registered erroneously to the degree so found since the relevant date, except in a case where it is proved to have begun to do so on some later date.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) above “ the relevant date ” means—

(a) the penultimate date on which, otherwise than in connection with the examination, the register of the meter was ascertained; or

(b) if regulations so provide, such other date as may be determined by or under the regulations.

Section 5

(1) This paragraph applies where a meter is to be used to register the quantity of gas supplied to a consumer and—

(a) gas has not previously been conveyed by the public gas transporter to the consumer’s premises;

(b) a new or substituted pipe is to be laid between the transporter’s main and the meter; or

(c) the meter is to be installed in a different position.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the meter shall be installed as near as practicable to the public gas transporter’s main, but within a building comprised in the premises.

(3) The meter may be installed otherwise than within a building comprised in the premises if it is installed either—

(a) in accommodation of a type and construction approved by the public gas transporter by an approval given in relation to premises generally, or to any class or description of premises; or

(b) in a separate meter house or other accommodation outside a building comprised in the premises which is approved by the transporter in the case of those particular premises.

(4) If the requirements of this paragraph are not complied with, the public gas transporter may refuse to connect or, as the case may be, disconnect the consumer’s premises.

Section 6

Where, in the case of any consumer, the public gas transporter or a relevant gas supplier, for the purpose of meeting the needs of a disabled person—

(a) alters the position of any gas meter which is owned by the transporter or supplier and is lent or hired to the consumer; or

(b) replaces such a meter with one which has been specially adapted,

the transporter or supplier shall not charge the consumer for the alteration or replacement.

Section 7

(1) Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) below apply where—

(a) a demand in writing is made by a gas supplier for the payment of any of the charges due to him from a consumer in respect of the supply of gas to the consumer’s premises, or to any premises previously owned or occupied by him; and

(b) the consumer does not pay those charges within 28 days after the making of the demand.

(2) Sub-paragraph (3) below also applies where—

(a) a request in writing is made by a gas supplier for the provision of a deposit by way of reasonable security for the payment of the charges due to him 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, or agree to take his supply through a pre-payment meter, within 7 days after the making of the request.

(3) If the supplier is a relevant supplier, he may, after giving not less than 7 days’ notice of his intention—

(a) cut off the supply to the consumer’s premises by disconnecting the service pipe at the meter or by such other means as he thinks fit; and

(b) recover any expenses incurred in so doing from the consumer.

(4) If—

(a) the supplier is not a relevant supplier but another supplier (“the new supplier”) is such a supplier; and

(b) the supplier has assigned to the new supplier his right to recover any of the charges due to him from the consumer,

sub-paragraph (3) above shall apply as if any reference to the supplier were a reference to the new supplier.

(5) The powers conferred by sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) above shall not be exercisable as respects any charges or deposit the amount of which is genuinely in dispute.

Section 8

(1) Where a gas supplier supplies gas to a consumer otherwise than in pursuance of a contract, the supplier shall be deemed to have contracted with the consumer for the supply of gas as from the time (“the relevant time”) when he began so to supply gas to the consumer.

(2) Where—

(a) the owner or occupier of any premises takes a supply of gas which has been conveyed to those premises by a public gas transporter in pursuance of arrangements made with the transporter by a gas shipper, or by a person authorised to make the arrangements by an exemption granted under section 6A of this Act;

(b) that supply is not made by a gas supplier, or by a person authorised to make it by an exemption granted under section 6A of this Act or an exception contained in Schedule 2A to this Act; and

(c) a supply of gas so conveyed has been previously made by a gas supplier,

the owner or occupier shall be deemed to have contracted with the appropriate supplier for the supply of gas as from the time (“the relevant time”) when he began to take such a supply; but nothing in this sub-paragraph shall be taken to afford a defence in any criminal proceedings.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) above “ the appropriate supplier ” means—

(a) the gas supplier who previously supplied gas to the premises or, if more than one, the gas supplier who last supplied gas to the premises; or

(b) where that supplier’s licence has been assigned generally, or has been assigned so far as relating to the premises, the person to whom the licence was so assigned; or

(c) where that supplier’s licence has been revoked on his application, or has been so restricted on his application as to exclude the premises, the gas supplier with whom that supplier made arrangements for securing continuity of supply to the premises.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) above shall not apply in any case where gas is supplied or, as the case may be, a supply of gas is taken at a rate which is reasonably expected to exceed 2,500 therms a year.

(5) If a gas supplier at any time so elects, sub-paragraph (4) above shall have effect, so far as relating to him and to supplies begun to be made or taken after that time, as if the reference to 2,500 therms were a reference to 75,000 therms.

(6) If a gas supplier at any time withdraws an election under sub-paragraph (5) above, sub-paragraph (4) above shall have effect, so far as relating to him and to supplies begun to be made or taken after that time, without the modification made by sub-paragraph (5) above.

(7) The express terms and conditions of a contract which, by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above, is deemed to have been made shall be provided for by a scheme made under this paragraph.

(8) Each gas supplier shall make, and from time to time revise, a scheme for determining the terms and conditions which are to be incorporated in the contracts which, by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above, are to be deemed to have been made; but this sub-paragraph shall not apply in any case where it is reasonably expected that neither of those sub-paragraphs will apply.

(9) The terms and conditions so determined may include terms and conditions for enabling the gas supplier to determine, in any case where the meter is not read immediately before the relevant time, the number of therms or kilowatt hours which are to be treated as supplied to the consumer, or taken by the owner or occupier of the premises, during the period beginning with the relevant time and ending with—

(a) the time when the meter is first read after the relevant time; or

(b) the time when the supplier ceases to supply gas to the consumer, or the owner or occupier ceases to take a supply of gas,

whichever is the earlier.

(10) A scheme under this paragraph may make different provisions for different cases or classes of cases, or for different areas, determined by, or in accordance with, the provisions of the scheme.

(11) As soon as practicable after a gas supplier makes a scheme under this paragraph, a revision of such a scheme, an election under sub-paragraph (5) above or a withdrawal under sub-paragraph (6) above of such an election, he shall—

(a) publish, in such manner as he considers appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it, a notice stating the effect of the scheme, revision, election or withdrawal;

(b) send a copy of the scheme, revision, election or withdrawal to the Director and to the Council; and

(c) if so requested by any other person, send such a copy to that person without charge to him.

Section 9

(1) Where any person takes a supply of gas which is in the course of being conveyed by a public gas transporter, the transporter shall be entitled to recover from that person the value of the gas so taken.

(2) Where—

(a) any person at premises which have been reconnected in contravention of paragraph 11(1) below takes a supply of gas which has been conveyed to those premises by the public gas transporter; and

(b) the supply is taken otherwise than in pursuance of a contract made with a gas supplier, or deemed to have been made with such a supplier by virtue of paragraph 8 above or paragraph 19 of Schedule 5 to the Gas Act 1995,

the transporter shall be entitled to recover from that person the value of the gas so taken.

(3) Each public gas transporter shall make, and from time to time revise, a scheme providing for the manner in which, and the persons by whom, the number of therms or kilowatt hours represented by a supply of gas taken in such circumstances as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above is to be determined for the purposes of that sub-paragraph.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (10) and (11) of paragraph 8 above shall apply in relation to a scheme under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a scheme under that paragraph.

(5) In this paragraph—

“ gas supplier ” includes a person authorised to supply gas by an exemption granted under section 6A of this Act or an exception contained in Schedule 2A to this Act;

“ value ”, in relation to any gas taken in such circumstances as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above, means the amount which, if the gas had been taken in such circumstances as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 8 above, could reasonably be expected to have been payable in respect of the gas under a contract deemed to have been made by virtue of that sub-paragraph.

Section 10

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

(a) injures or allows to be injured any gas fitting provided by a public gas transporter or gas supplier, or any service pipe by which any premises are connected to such a transporter’s main;

(b) alters the index to any meter used for measuring the quantity of gas conveyed or supplied by such a transporter or supplier; or

(c) prevents any such meter from duly registering the quantity of gas conveyed or supplied,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(2) In the case of any offence under sub-paragraph (1) above, the transporter or supplier may disconnect the premises of, or cut off the supply of gas to, the person so offending.

(3) Where any person is prosecuted for an offence under sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) above, the possession by him of artificial means for causing an alteration of the index of the meter or, as the case may be, for preventing the meter from duly registering shall, if the meter was in his custody or under his control, be prima facie evidence that the alteration or prevention was intentionally caused by him.

Section 11

(1) Where a consumer’s premises have been disconnected by a public gas transporter, or a supply of gas to a consumer’s premises has been cut off by a gas supplier, otherwise than in the exercise of a power conferred by—

(a) paragraph 20, 21 or 22 below;

(b) regulations under section 18(2) or 18A(1) of this Act; or

(c) regulations under section 15 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (health and safety regulations),

no person shall, without the relevant consent, reconnect the premises or restore the supply.

(2) If any person acts in contravention of sub-paragraph (1) above—

(a) he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale; and

(b) the transporter or supplier may again disconnect the premises or, as the case may be, cut off the supply.

(3) In this paragraph “ the relevant consent ” means—

(a) where the premises are reconnected, the consent of the public gas transporter to whose main the reconnection is made;

(b) where the supply is restored, the consent of the supplier who cut off the supply, or the consent of a person who is or is about to become a relevant gas supplier.

Section 12

(1) No person shall connect any meter with a service pipe through which gas is conveyed to any premises by a public gas transporter, or disconnect any meter from any such pipe, unless he has given—

(a) in a case where gas is supplied to the premises by a relevant gas supplier whose name and address are known to him, to the supplier; and

(b) in any other case, to the transporter,

so that it is received by the supplier or transporter at least 48 hours before he does so, notice in the prescribed form of his intention to do so.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, a notice under sub-paragraph (1) above shall contain—

(a) details of the time and place of the proposed connection or disconnection; and

(b) such other information as may be prescribed.

(3) In so far as it is not reasonably practicable for a notice under sub-paragraph (1) above to contain any information required by sub-paragraph (2)(b) above, it shall be a sufficient compliance with that requirement if the information is given to the relevant gas supplier or, as the case may be, the public gas transporter within 48 hours after the connection or disconnection is effected.

(4) If any person acts in contravention of this paragraph, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Section 13

(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, this paragraph applies where any meter through which gas has been supplied to any premises is completely disconnected, that is to say, is disconnected both from the service pipe and from all other pipes within the premises.

(2) This paragraph does not apply where the meter—

(a) is disconnected for the purposes of an examination under section 17 of this Act or an inspection under paragraph 3(5) above; or

(b) is disconnected for a particular purpose (whether repair or repositioning of the meter, detection of a gas leak or otherwise) and is intended to be reconnected.

(3) Except in so far as it is not reasonably practicable for him to do so, the person making the disconnection shall—

(a) ascertain the name and address of the owner of the meter; and

(b) inform that owner of the disconnection and of the address at which the meter will be available for collection.

(4) If any person fails to comply with sub-paragraph (3) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Section 14

(1) Where—

(a) any arrangements for the conveyance of gas by a public gas transporter to a consumer’s premises at a rate reasonably expected to exceed 2,500 therms a year have been made by a gas shipper, or by a person authorised to make the arrangements by an exemption granted under section 6A of this Act; and

(b) those arrangements have ceased to operate and have not been replaced by arrangements made for the like purpose,

the transporter may, after giving 21 days’ notice to the relevant persons, disconnect the premises.

(2) The relevant persons for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above are—

(a) the occupier, or the owner of the premises if they are unoccupied; and

(b) any gas supplier who, to the knowledge of the transporter, has contracted to supply gas to the premises.

(3) The notice required to be given by sub-paragraphs (1) and (2)(a) above may, in the case of unoccupied premises the owner of which is unknown to the public gas transporter and cannot be ascertained after diligent inquiry, be given by affixing it upon a conspicuous part of the premises.

Section 15

(1) A public gas transporter shall carry out any necessary work of maintenance, repair or renewal of any service pipe by which gas is conveyed by him to a consumer’s premises, whether or not the service pipe was supplied and laid at the transporter’s expense.

(2) The cost of any work carried out in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) above shall be defrayed as follows—

(a) if the work was made necessary by any intentional act or culpable negligence of the consumer and the transporter so requires, by the consumer;

(b) in any other case, by the transporter.

Section 16

(1) This paragraph applies where there is a change in the properties of any gas which is conveyed by a public gas transporter to a consumer’s premises at a rate not exceeding 75,000 therms a year.

(2) It shall be the duty of the public gas transporter to take without charge to the consumer such steps as may be necessary to alter, adjust or replace the burners in appliances at the premises which burn that gas in such manner as to secure that the gas can be burned with safety and efficiency.

Section 17

(1) Where a consumer uses gas for working or supplying a compressor, that is to say—

(a) an engine, gas compressor or other similar apparatus; or

(b) any apparatus liable to produce in any main of the public gas transporter a pressure less than atmospheric pressure,

he shall, if so required by the transporter by notice, fix in a suitable position and keep in use an appliance provided by him which will effectually prevent pressure fluctuation in the transporter’s pipe-line system and any other inconvenience or danger being caused to persons by reason that he and they are supplied with gas conveyed through the same system.

(2) Where a consumer uses for or in connection with the consumption of gas—

(a) any air at high pressure (“compressed air”); or

(b) any gaseous substance not conveyed by the public gas transporter (“extraneous gas”),

he shall, if so required by the transporter by notice, fix in a suitable position and keep in use an appliance provided by him which will effectually prevent the admission of the compressed air or extraneous gas into the service pipe or into any main through which gas is conveyed by the transporter.

(3) Where a person is required by this paragraph to keep in use any appliance, he shall at his own expense keep it in proper order and repair, and repair, renew or replace it if it is not in proper order or repair.

(4) A consumer shall not be entitled to use a compressor, or any apparatus for using compressed air or extraneous gas, unless he has given to the public gas transporter not less than 14 days’ notice of his intention to do so; but this sub-paragraph shall not apply to the use of any compressor or apparatus which was lawfully in use immediately before the appointed day.

(5) If a consumer makes default in complying with any provision of this paragraph, the public gas transporter may disconnect the consumer’s premises.

(6) The public gas transporter shall have power to disconnect, remove, test and replace any appliance which a consumer is required by this paragraph to keep in use; and any expenses incurred by the transporter under this sub-paragraph shall, if the appliance is found in proper order and repair, be paid by the transporter, but otherwise shall be paid by the consumer.

Section 18

If a consumer improperly uses or deals with gas so as to interfere with the efficient conveyance of gas by the public gas transporter (whether to the consumer or to any other person), the transporter may, if he thinks fit, disconnect the consumer’s premises.

Section 19

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a consumer’s premises have been disconnected by a public gas transporter in pursuance of paragraph 2(2)(a), 3(2)(a), 5(4), 10(2), 11(2)(b), 14(1), 17(5) or 18 above; or

(b) a supply of gas to a consumer’s premises has been cut off by a gas supplier in pursuance of paragraph 2(2)(b), 3(2)(b), 7(3) or (4), 10(2) or 11(2)(b) above.

(2) The transporter or supplier shall not be under any obligation to reconnect the consumer’s premises or, as the case may be, resume the supply of gas to the consumer’s premises until the consumer either is no longer an owner or occupier of the premises or—

(a) has made good the default, or remedied the matter, in consequence of which the premises were disconnected or the supply was cut off; and

(b) has paid the reasonable expenses of disconnecting and reconnecting the premises or, as the case may be, of cutting off the supply and restoring the supply.

(3) In this paragraph “ consumer ”, in relation to a disconnection or cutting off under paragraph 11(2)(b) above, means—

(a) the owner of the premises at the time when the reconnection was made, or the supply was restored, without the relevant consent—

(i) if the premises were unoccupied at that time, or

(ii) if that reconnection or restoration of supply was made by him or on his behalf; and

(b) the occupier of the premises at that time in any other case;

and in this sub-paragraph “ relevant consent ” has the same meaning as in paragraph 11 above.

Section 20

(1) Where any gas escapes from any pipe of a public gas transporter, or from any pipe or other gas fitting used by a consumer to whose premises gas is conveyed by such a transporter, the transporter—

(a) shall, immediately after being informed of the escape, prevent the gas from escaping (whether by disconnecting any premises or otherwise); and

(b) shall take any other steps necessary to avert danger to life or property.

(2) If a public gas transporter—

(a) fails, within 12 hours after being so informed, effectually to prevent the gas from escaping; or

(b) fails to comply with sub-paragraph (1)(b) above,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) In any proceedings for an offence under sub-paragraph (2)(a) above it shall be a defence for the public gas transporter to prove—

(a) that it was not reasonably practicable for him effectually to prevent the gas from escaping within the said period of 12 hours; and

(b) that he did effectually prevent the escape as soon as it was reasonably practicable for him to do so.

(4) In any proceedings for an offence under sub-paragraph (2)(b) above it shall be a defence for the public gas transporter to prove that he took all such steps to avert danger to life or property as were reasonably practicable.

(5) It shall be the duty of any public gas transporter, gas supplier or gas shipper to take any steps necessary to ensure that, if he is informed by any person (“the informant”) of an escape of gas (other than one, in the case of a transporter, that he is required by sub-paragraph (1) above to prevent), he passes the information on, without avoidable delay, either—

(a) to a responsible person, that is to say, a person appearing to him—

(i) to be responsible (whether under that sub-paragraph or otherwise) for preventing the escape; or

(ii) to be a public gas transporter within whose authorised area the gas is escaping; or

(b) to a nominated person, that is to say, a person nominated by a responsible person to receive information about escapes of gas on his behalf.

(6) There shall be a sufficient compliance with sub-paragraph (5) above if the transporter, supplier or shipper is satisfied that the informant—

(a) intends to pass the information on, without avoidable delay, to a nominated person; and

(b) is in a position to do so.

(7) References in sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) above to the passing on of information to a nominated person are references to the passing on of information to that person in such manner (if any) as may be specified by the responsible person by whom that person was nominated.

Section 21

(1) Where a public gas transporter has reasonable cause to suspect that gas conveyed by him which has escaped has entered, or may enter any premises, the transporter shall take any steps necessary to avert danger to life or property.

(2) If a public gas transporter fails to comply with sub-paragraph (1) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) In any proceedings for an offence under sub-paragraph (2) above it shall be a defence for the public gas transporter to prove that he took all such steps to avert danger to life or property as were reasonably practicable.

Section 22

(1) Where a public gas transporter has reasonable cause to suspect—

(a) that gas conveyed by him is escaping, or may escape, in any premises; or

(b) that gas so conveyed which has escaped has entered, or may enter, any premises,

any officer authorised by the transporter may, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises, inspect the gas fittings, carry out any work necessary to prevent the escape and take any other steps necessary to avert danger to life or property.

(2) Where a public gas transporter has reasonable cause to suspect—

(a) that gas conveyed through pipes by some other person is escaping, or may escape, in any premises in an authorised area of his; or

(b) that gas so conveyed which has escaped has entered, or may enter, any premises in such an area,

any officer authorised by the transporter may, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises and take any steps necessary to avert danger to life or property.

(3) In this paragraph any reference to any officer authorised by a public gas transporter includes a reference to any officer authorised by another such transporter with whom the transporter has made arrangements for officers authorised by the other transporter to discharge any functions of the transporter under paragraphs 20 and 21 above.

Section 23

(1) Any officer authorised by a public gas transporter may at all reasonable times, on the production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter a consumer’s premises for the purpose of—

(a) inspecting gas fittings;

(b) ascertaining the quantity of gas conveyed to the premises;

(c) exercising the power conferred on the transporter by paragraph 3(5) above;

(d) performing the duty imposed on the transporter by paragraph 15 or 16 above;

(e) exercising the power conferred on the transporter by paragraph 17(6) above; or

(f) in the case of premises where the transporter has reason to believe that a compressor or compressed air or extraneous gas is being used, inspecting the premises and ascertaining whether the provisions of paragraph 17 above are being complied with.

(2) Any officer authorised by a relevant gas supplier or relevant gas shipper may at all reasonable times, on the production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter a consumer’s premises for the purpose of—

(a) inspecting gas fittings;

(b) ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied or conveyed to the premises; or

(c) exercising the power conferred on the supplier or shipper by paragraph 3(5) above.

(3) In this paragraph “ compressor ”, “ compressed air ” and “ extraneous gas ” have the same meanings as in paragraph 17 above, and any reference to a relevant gas supplier or relevant gas shipper includes a reference to a person who has been or is about to become such a supplier or shipper.

Section 24

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a public gas transporter or gas supplier is authorised by any provision of this Act to disconnect any premises, or, as the case may be, to cut off or discontinue the supply of gas to any premises;

(b) a person occupying premises supplied with gas by a gas supplier ceases to require a supply of gas; or

(c) a person entering into occupation of any premises previously supplied with gas by a gas supplier does not take a supply of gas.

(2) Any officer authorised by the public gas transporter or gas supplier, after 24 hours’ notice to the occupier, or to the owner of the premises if they are unoccupied, may at all reasonable times, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises for the purpose of—

(a) disconnecting the premises, or cutting off or discontinuing the supply of gas to the premises; or

(b) removing any meter or other gas fitting owned by the transporter or supplier.

(3) The notice required to be given by sub-paragraph (2) above may, in the case of unoccupied premises the owner of which is unknown to the public gas transporter or gas supplier and cannot be ascertained after diligent inquiry, be given by affixing it upon a conspicuous part of the premises not less than 48 hours before the premises are entered.

Section 25

(1) This paragraph applies where a consumer’s premises have been disconnected by a public gas transporter, or a supply of gas to a consumer’s premises has been cut off by a gas supplier, otherwise than in the exercise of a power conferred by—

(a) paragraph 20, 21 or 22 above;

(b) regulations under section 18(2) or 18A(1) of this Act; or

(c) regulations under section 15 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (health and safety regulations).

(2) Any officer authorised by the public gas transporter or gas supplier may at all reasonable times, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether the premises have been reconnected, or the supply has been restored, without the relevant consent.

(3) In this paragraph “ the relevant consent ” has the same meaning as in paragraph 11 above.

Section 26

(1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a person occupying premises supplied with gas through a meter or other gas fitting owned by a public gas transporter or gas supplier ceases to take a supply through that meter or fitting; or

(b) a person entering into occupation of any premises previously supplied with gas through a meter or other gas fitting so owned does not take a supply of gas through that meter or fitting.

(2) Any officer authorised by the public gas transporter or gas supplier, after 24 hours’ notice to the occupier, or to the owner of the premises if they are unoccupied, may at all reasonable times, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises for the purpose of removing the meter or other gas fitting.

(3) Sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 24 above applies for the purposes of this paragraph as it applies for the purposes of that paragraph.

Section 27

(1) Any officer authorised by a public gas transporter, after 7 clear days’ notice to the occupier of any premises, or to the owner of any premises which are unoccupied, may at all reasonable times, on production of some duly authenticated document showing his authority, enter the premises for the purpose of—

(a) placing a new pipe in the place of any existing pipe which has already been lawfully placed; or

(b) repairing or altering any such existing pipe.

(2) The notice required to be given by sub-paragraph (1) above may, in the case of unoccupied premises the owner of which is unknown to the public gas transporter and cannot be ascertained after diligent inquiry, be given by affixing it upon a conspicuous part of the premises.

(3) In cases of emergency arising from defects in any pipes entry may be made under sub-paragraph (1) above without the notice required to be given by that sub-paragraph, but notice of the entry and the justification for it shall then be given as soon as possible after the occurrence of the emergency.

Section 28

(1) No officer shall be authorised by a public gas transporter, gas supplier or gas shipper to exercise any powers of entry conferred by this Schedule unless—

(a) the transporter, supplier or shipper has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that he is a fit and proper person to exercise those powers; or

(b) in cases of emergency, those powers are powers conferred by paragraph 22 above.

(2) Where in pursuance of any powers of entry conferred by this Schedule, entry is made on any premises by an officer authorised by a public gas transporter, gas supplier or gas shipper—

(a) the officer shall ensure that the premises are left no less secure by reason of the entry; and

(b) the transporter, supplier or shipper shall make good, or pay compensation for, any damage caused by the officer, or by any person accompanying him in entering the premises, in taking any action therein authorised by this Schedule, or in making the premises secure.

(3) Any officer exercising powers of entry conferred by this Schedule may be accompanied by such persons as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose for which the entry is made, or for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) above.

(4) If any person intentionally obstructs any officer exercising powers of entry conferred by this Schedule, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 (entry under a justice’s warrant) shall apply in relation to any powers of entry conferred by this Schedule.

Section 29

(1) Any gas meter which is connected to a service pipe, and any gas fitting in a consumer’s premises which is owned by a public gas transporter or gas supplier and is marked or impressed with a sufficient mark or brand indicating its owner—

(a) shall not be subject to distress or be liable to be taken in execution under process of any court or any proceedings in bankruptcy against the person in whose possession it may be; and

(b) shall be deemed not to be a landlord’s fixture, notwithstanding that it may be fixed or fastened to any part of the premises in which it may be situated.

(2) In the application of sub-paragraph (1)(a) above to Scotland, for the word “distress” and the words “in bankruptcy against” there shall be substituted respectively the word “poinding” and the words “for the sequestration of the estate of”.