Office of Public Sector Information

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[F1 Gas conveyed by public gas transporters and others]

F116. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F117 Meter testing and stamping

(1)No meter shall be used for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied through pipes to any person unless it is stamped either by, or on the authority of, a meter examiner appointed under this section or in such other manner as may be authorised by regulations under this section.

(2)Subject to subsections (3) to (5) below, it shall be the duty of a meter examiner who is a member of the Director’s staff, on being required to do so by any person and on payment of the requisite fee—

(a)to examine any meter used or intended to be used for ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied to any person; and

(b)to stamp, or authorise the stamping of, that meter.

(3)A meter examiner shall not stamp, or authorise the stamping of, any meter unless he is satisfied that it is of such pattern and construction and is marked in such manner as is approved by the Director and that the meter conforms with such standards as may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.

(4)A meter examiner may stamp or authorise another person to stamp a meter, notwithstanding that he has not himself examined it, if—

(a)the meter was manufactured or repaired by the person submitting it to the examiner;

(b)that person has obtained the consent of the Director to his submission; and

(c)any conditions subject to which the consent was given have been satisfied.

(5)A meter examiner may authorise another person to stamp a meter, notwithstanding that he has not himself examined it, if—

(a)the meter was manufactured or repaired by that person;

(b)that person has obtained the consent of the Director to his stamping of the meter; and

(c)any conditions subject to which the consent was given have been satisfied.

(6)The Director shall appoint competent and impartial persons as meter examiners for the purposes of this section.

(7)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament to meter examiners who are members of the Director’s staff such remuneration and such allowances as may be determined by the Director with the approval of the Treasury, and such pensions as may be so determined may be paid out of money provided by Parliament to or in respect of such examiners.

(8)All fees payable to meter examiners who are members of the Director’s staff for the performance of functions conferred by or under this section shall be paid to the Director; and any sums received by him under this subsection shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(9)Regulations under this section, which shall be made by the Director with the consent of the Secretary of State, may make provision—

(a)for re-examining meters already stamped, and for the cancellation of stamps in the case of meters which no longer conform with the prescribed standards and in such other circumstances as may be prescribed;

(b)for requiring meters to be periodically overhauled; and

(c)for the revocation of any approval given by the Director to any particular pattern or construction of meter, and for requiring existing meters of that pattern or construction to be replaced within such period as may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.

(10)The fees to be paid to meter examiners who are members of the Director’s staff for the performance of functions conferred by or under this section, and the persons by whom they are to be paid, shall be such as the Director may, with the approval of the Treasury, from time to time determine; and a determination under this subsection may—

(a)make different provision for different areas or in relation to different cases or different circumstances; and

(b)make such supplementary, incidental or transitional provision as the Director considers necessary or expedient.

(11)If any person supplies gas through a meter which has not been stamped under this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(12)Where the commission by any person of an offence under subsection (11) above is due to the act or default of some other person, that other person shall be guilty of the offence; and a person may be charged with and convicted of the offence by virtue of this subsection whether or not proceedings are taken against the first-mentioned person.

(13)In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (11) above it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.

(14)The preceding provisions of this section shall not have effect in relation to the supply of gas to a person under any agreement providing for the quantity of gas supplied to him to be ascertained by a meter designed for rates of flow which, if measured at a temperature of 15°C and a pressure of 1013.25 millibars, would exceed 1600 cubic metres an hour.

(15)Regulations under this section may provide that subsection (14) above shall have effect as if for the number of cubic metres an hour which is for the time being applicable for the purposes of that subsection there were substituted such lower number of cubic metres an hour as the Director considers appropriate.]

18 Safety regulations

F1(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for empowering any officer authorised by the relevant authority—

(a)to enter any premises in which there is a service pipe connected with a gas main, for the purpose of inspecting any gas fitting on the premises, any flue or means of ventilation used in connection with any such gas fitting, or [F2any part of the gas system on the premises, that is to say,]any service pipe or other apparatus (not being a gas fitting) which is on the premises and is used for the [F2conveyance or]supply of gas or is connected with a gas main;

(b)where he so enters any such premises, to examine or apply any test to any such object as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above and (where the object is a gas fitting) to verify what supply of air is available for it; and

(c)where in his opinion it is necessary to do so for the purpose of averting danger to life or property, and notwithstanding any contract previously existing, to disconnect and seal off any gas fitting or any part of the [F3gas system on the premises, or disconnect the premises or, if the premises are not connected, to signify the refusal of the relevant authority to convey gas or, as the case may be, allow gas to be conveyed to the premises].

(3)Where any regulations under subsection (2) above confer any power in accordance with paragraph (c) of that subsection, the regulations shall also include provision—

(a)for securing that, where any such power is exercised, the consumer will be notified as to the nature of the defect or other circumstances in consequence of which it has been exercised;

(b)for enabling any consumer so notified to appeal to the Secretary of State on the grounds that the defect or other circumstances in question did not constitute a danger such as to justify the action taken in the exercise of the power, or did not exist or have ceased to exist; and

(c)for enabling the Secretary of State to give such directions as may in accordance with the regulations be determined by him to be appropriate in consequence of any such appeal.

(4)Regulations made under subsection (2) above may make provision for prohibiting any person, except with the consent of the relevant authority or in pursuance of any directions given by the Secretary of State as mentioned in subsection (3)(c) above, from—

(a)reconnecting any gas fitting or [F4any part of any gas system] which has been disconnected by or on behalf of the relevant authority in exercise of a power conferred by the regulations; or

(b)[F5reconnecting any premises which have been disconnected] by or on behalf of the relevant authority in the exercise of any such power; or

(c)causing gas from a gas main to be [F6conveyed] to any premises where in pursuance of the regulations the refusal of the relevant authority to [F7convey gas or, as the case may be, allow gas to be conveyed] to those premises has been signified and that refusal has not been withdrawn.

(5)Where in pursuance of any powers conferred by regulations made under subsection (2) above, entry is made on any premises by an officer authorised by the relevant authority—

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

(b)the relevant authority 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 the regulations, or in making the premises secure.

(6)Any officer exercising powers of entry conferred by regulations made under subsection (2) above may be accompanied by such persons as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose for which entry is made, or for the purposes of subsection (5) above.

(7)If any person intentionally obstructs any officer exercising powers of entry conferred by regulations made under subsection (2) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(8)The M1Rights 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 regulations made under subsection (2) above as if [F8any reference to a gas operator were a reference to the relevant authority].

[F9(9)In this section “the relevant authority”—

(a)in relation to dangers arising from the conveyance of gas by a [F10gas transporter], or from the use of gas conveyed by such a transporter, means that transporter; and

(b)in relation to dangers arising from the conveyance of gas by a person other than a [F10gas transporter], or from the use of gas conveyed by such a person, means the Secretary of State.

(10)Where the relevant authority is a [F10gas transporter], any reference in this section to any officer authorised by the authority includes a reference to any officer authorised by another such transporter with whom the authority has made arrangements for officers authorised by the other transporter to discharge any functions of the authority under this section.

(11)Except in cases of emergency, no officer shall be authorised by a [F10gas transporter] to exercise any powers of entry conferred by regulations under this section unless the transporter has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that he is a fit and proper person to exercise those powers.]

[F118A Gas escape regulations

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

(a)for empowering any officer authorised by a [F2gas transporter], if the transporter has reasonable cause to suspect—

(i)that gas conveyed by the transporter is escaping, or may escape, in any premises; or

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

to enter the premises, to carry out any work necessary to prevent the escape of gas and to take any other steps necessary to avert danger to life or property; and

(b)for empowering any officer so authorised, if the transporter has reasonable cause to suspect—

(i)that gas conveyed through pipes by some other person is escaping, or may escape, in any premises; or

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

to enter the premises and take any steps necessary to avert danger to life or property.

(2)Subsections (5) to (7) and (11) of section 18 above shall apply for the purposes of this section as if—

(a)any reference to subsection (2) of that section were a reference to subsection (1) above;

(b)any reference to the relevant authority were a reference to a [F2gas transporter];

(c)any reference to subsection (5) of that section were a reference to that subsection as applied by this subsection; and

(d)the reference in subsection (11) of that section to regulations under that section were a reference to regulations under this section.

(3)The M1Rights 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 regulations made under subsection (1) above.

(4)Any reference in this section to any officer authorised by a [F2gas 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 under this section of officers authorised by the transporter.]

[F1 Use by other persons of public gas transporter’s pipe-line systems]

[F119 Acquisition of rights to use pipe-line systems

(1)In the case of a pipe-line system operated by a [F2gas transporter], any person may, after giving the transporter not less than 28 days’ notice, apply to the Director for directions under this section which would secure to the applicant a right of a description specified in the application to have conveyed by the system gas which—

(a)is of a kind so specified; and

(b)is of, or of a kind similar to, the kind which the system is designed to convey.

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

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

(b)to give notice of his decision to the applicant;

(c)in the case of a decision that the application is to be considered further, to give to the transporter, to the Health and Safety Executive and to any person who has a right to have gas conveyed by the pipe-line system, 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 (1) above, the Director is satisfied that the giving of directions under this section would not prejudice the efficient operation of the pipe-line system, or the conveyance by the system of—

(a)the quantities of gas which the [F2gas transporter] requires or may reasonably be expected to require to be conveyed by the system to enable the transporter to comply with the conditions of his licence and to perform his contractual obligations;

(b)the quantities of gas which any person who has a right to have gas conveyed by the system is entitled to require to be so conveyed in the exercise of that right,

the Director may give such directions to the transporter.

(4)Directions under this section may—

(a)specify the terms on which the Director considers the [F2gas transporter] 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 conveyed by the pipe-line system, for the period specified in the directions and in the quantities so specified or determined by or under the directions, 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 conveyance of gas by virtue of that right;

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

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

(c)require the transporter, 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)In giving any directions under this section, the Director shall apply the principle that the [F2gas transporter] should be entitled to receive by way of charges for the conveyance of gas by virtue of the right—

(a)the appropriate proportion of the costs incurred by the transporter in administering, maintaining and operating his pipe-line system; and

(b)a return equal to the appropriate proportion of the return received by the transporter (otherwise than by virtue of the right) on the capital value of the system (including so much of that return as is set aside to meet the need from time to time to renew the system).

(6)In subsection (5) above “the appropriate proportion” means such proportion as properly—

(a)reflects the use made of the [F2gas transporter’s] pipe-line system by virtue of the right as compared with the use made of that system for other purposes; and

(b)takes into account the sums paid by way of consideration for the right and any sums paid in respect of the pipe-line system (whether by the applicant or by any other person) in pursuance of directions under section 21(1) below.

(7)Any reference in this section to a right to have gas of any kind conveyed by a pipe-line system includes a reference to a right to introduce into, or take out of, such a system gas of that kind.]

[F119A Application of section 19B to storage facilities

(1)Section 19B applies to storage facilities other than exempt storage facilities.

(2)An owner of a storage facility may apply in writing to the Director for an exemption for the facility or for facilities of a particular description.

(3)An exemption shall be given in writing and may be given—

(a)so as to have effect for an indefinite period or for a period specified in, or determined under, the exemption;

(b)unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Director considers appropriate.

(4)An exemption may be revoked in accordance with its provisions and, in any event, may be revoked by giving a notice of revocation to the owner of the facility or facilities concerned not less than four months before the coming into force of the revocation.

(5)The Director shall give an exemption with respect to a facility or description of facility where he is satisfied that either—

(a)the requirements of section 19B(1), (3) and (7) and section 19E(3) are already met with respect to the facility or facilities concerned by existing market arrangements which promote competition; or

(b)use of the facility or facilities concerned by other persons is not necessary for the operation of an economically efficient gas market.]

[ F119B Acquisition of rights to use storage facilities

(1)The owner of a storage facility to which this section applies (a “relevant facility”)—

(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 stored in the facility on that person’s behalf; and

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

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