1Additional powers for National Coal Board.
(1)In addition to their duties and powers under the Coal Industry Acts 1946 to 1965, but subject to the provisions of the [1934 c. 36.] Petroleum (Production) Act 1934 and the [1964 c. 29.] Continental Shelf Act 1964, the National Coal Board (hereafter in this Act referred to as "the Board") shall have power—
(a)to search and bore for and get petroleum within the meaning of the said Act of 1934 in the sea bed and subsoil of the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Great Britain and of any area for the time being designated under section 1(7) of the said Act of 1964;
(b)where any crude natural gas or crude liquid petroleum has been got as aforesaid wholly or partly by or on behalf of the Board, to engage—
(i)at well-head or within Great Britain; or
(ii)at such other place, if any, as may be authorised by an order of the Minister of Power made by statutory instrument, which shall be laid before Parliament after being made,
in the treatment of that gas or petroleum for the purpose of rendering it saleable in crude state, and in the sale or supply of that gas or petroleum with or without such treatment:
(c)to do any thing and to enter into any transaction (whether or not involving the expenditure, borrowing in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of the [1965 c. 82.] Coal Industry Act 1965, or lending, of money, or the acquisition of any property or rights) which in the opinion of the Board is calculated to facilitate the proper exercise by them of their powers under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection;
(d)to dispose of any property or rights held by the Board for the purpose of the exercise of their powers under the said paragraphs (a) and (b) which are no longer required by the Board for that purpose;
(e)to make available to other persons anything provided for the purpose of the exercise by the Board of their powers under the said paragraphs (a) and (b) so far as not for the time being required for use by the Board for that purpose.
(2)The powers of the Board under paragraph (f) of section 1(2) of the [1946 c. 59.] Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 (which relates to training, education and research) shall be exercisable in relation to any activities under paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of this section as they are exercisable in relation to any activities under paragraphs (a) to (e) of the said section 1(2).
(3)Without prejudice to any limitation imposed by this Act, the proviso to section 2(1) of the [1949 c. 53.] Coal Industry Act 1949 (which provides that the Board shall not carry on any activities outside Great Britain except with the authority of an order of the Minister of Power) shall not apply to any activities under this Act; and, notwithstanding anything in section 63(3) of the said Act of 1946, section 3(4) of that Act (which requires the Board to afford to the Minister of Power facilities for obtaining information with respect to the property and activities of the Board and to furnish him with returns, accounts and other information with respect thereto) shall apply to any activities of the Board under this Act whether carried on in or outside Great Britain.