Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992

11 Standards of performance

The following sections shall be inserted in the [1986 c. 44.] Gas Act 1986, after section 33—

“Standards of performance

33A Standards of performance in individual cases

(1) The Director may make regulations prescribing such standards of performance in connection with the provision of gas supply services by public gas suppliers to tariff customers as, in his opinion, ought to be achieved in individual cases.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) above may only be made—

(a) with the consent of the Secretary of State;

(b) after consulting—

(i) the public gas suppliers; and

(ii) persons or bodies appearing to the Director to be representative of persons likely to be affected by the regulations; and

(c) after arranging for such research as the Director considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be so affected and considering the results.

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) prescribe circumstances in which public gas suppliers are to inform tariff customers of their rights under this section;

(b) prescribe such standards of performance in relation to any duty arising under paragraph (a) above as, in the Director’s opinion, ought to be achieved in all cases;

(c) prescribe circumstances in which public gas suppliers are to be exempted from any requirements of the regulations or this section; and

(d) make different provision with respect to different public gas suppliers.

(4) If a public gas supplier fails to meet a prescribed standard, he shall make to any tariff customer who is affected by the failure such compensation as may be determined by or under the regulations.

(5) The making of compensation under this section in respect of any failure to meet a prescribed standard shall not prejudice any other remedy which may be available in respect of the act or omission which constituted that failure.

(6) Any dispute arising under this section or regulations made under this section—

(a) may be referred to the Director by either party or, with the agreement of either party, by the Council; and

(b) on such a reference, shall be determined by order made—

(i) by the Director; or

(ii) by such other person as may be prescribed.

(7) Any person making an order under subsection (6) above shall include in the order his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.

(8) The practice and procedure to be followed in connection with any such determination shall be such as may be prescribed.

(9) An order under subsection (6) above shall be final and shall be enforceable—

(a) in England and Wales, as if it were a judgment of a county court; and

(b) in Scotland, as if it were an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff.

(10) In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this section.

(11) The power of the Director under this section to make regulations shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

33B Overall standards of performance

(1) The Director may from time to time—

(a) determine such standards of overall performance in connection with the provision of gas supply services by public gas suppliers as, in his opinion, ought to be achieved by them; and

(b) arrange for the publication, in such form and in such manner as he considers appropriate, of the standards so determined.

(2) The Director may only make a determination under subsection (1)(a) above after—

(a) consulting the public gas suppliers and persons or bodies appearing to the Director to be representative of persons likely to be affected; and

(b) arranging for such research as the Director considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected and considering the results.

(3) Different standards may be determined for different public gas suppliers.

(4) It shall be the duty of every public gas supplier to conduct his business in such a way as can reasonably be expected to lead to his achieving the standards set under this section.”