Gas Act 1986

13 Alternative method of charge

(1) If regulations under this section so provide, the number of therms supplied by a public gas supplier may, to such an extent as he thinks fit, be calculated in the prescribed manner on the basis of actual calorific values of the gas determined by the supplier in accordance with the regulations; and a public gas supplier is a relevant supplier for the purposes of this section in so far as the number of therms supplied by him is so calculated.

(2) Regulations may make provision—

(a) for requiring determinations of actual calorific values of gas supplied by relevant suppliers to be made at such places, at such times and in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct;

(b) for requiring such premises, apparatus and equipment as the Secretary of State may direct to be provided and maintained by relevant suppliers for the purpose of making such determinations;

(c) as to the manner in which calculations of the number of therms supplied by relevant suppliers are to be made; and

(d) as to the manner in which the results of such determinations are, and prescribed information with respect to the making of such calculations is, to be made available to the public.

(3) The Secretary of State shall appoint competent and impartial persons to carry out tests of apparatus and equipment provided and maintained by relevant suppliers in pursuance of regulations under this section for the purpose of ascertaining whether they comply with the regulations.

(4) Regulations may make provision—

(a) for persons representing the relevant supplier concerned to be present during the carrying out of such tests;

(b) for the manner in which the results of such tests are to be made available to the public ; and

(c) for conferring powers of entry on property of relevant suppliers for the purpose of carrying out such tests and otherwise for the purposes of this section.

(5) There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament to the persons appointed under subsection (3) above such remuneration and such allowances as may be determined by the Secretary of State 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 those persons.

(6) Every person who is a relevant supplier during any period shall pay to the Secretary of State such proportion as the Secretary of State may determine of—

(a) any sums paid by him under subsection (5) above in respect of that period ; and

(b) such part of his other expenses for that period as he may with the consent of the Treasury determine to be attributable to his functions in connection with the testing of apparatus and equipment for the purposes of this section; and any liability under this subsection to pay to the Secretary of State sums on account of pensions (whether paid by him under subsection (5) above or otherwise) shall, if the Secretary of State so determines, be satisfied by way of contributions calculated, at such rate as may be determined by the Treasury, by reference to remuneration.

(7) The reference in subsection (6) above to expenses of the Secretary of State includes a reference to expenses incurred by any government department in connection with the Department of Energy, and to such sums as the Treasury may determine in respect of the use for the purposes of that Department of any premises belonging to the Crown.

(8) Any sums received by the Secretary of State under this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.