Gas Act 1972

Meter testing and stamping

30 Meter testing and stamping

(1) As from the appointed day, no meter shall be used for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied 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.

(2) 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 Secretary of State and that the meter conforms with such standards as may be prescribed.

(3) The Secretary of State shall appoint competent and impartial persons as meter examiners for the purposes of this section, and it shall be the duty of such an examiner, on being required to do so by any person and on payment of the prescribed fee, to examine any meter used or intended to be used for ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied to any person, and to stamp, or authorise the stamping of, that meter if the examiner is satisfied of the matters aforesaid.

(4) There shall be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament to meter examiners such remuneration and such allowances as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, and such pensions as may be so determined may be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament to or in respect of such examiners.

(5) All fees payable in respect of the examination of meters by meter examiners shall be paid to the Secretary of State.

(6) Regulations 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,

(c) for the revocation of any approval given by the Secretary of State 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,

(d) for determining the fees to be paid for examining, stamping and re-examining meters, and the persons by whom they are to be paid, and

(e) for any matters supplementary or incidental to the matters aforesaid and to the provisions of this section for which provision appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient.

(7) 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 £100.

(8) The preceding provisions of this section shall not have effect in relation to the supply of gas to a person under any agreement made with the Corporation and providing for the quantity of gas supplied to him to be ascertained otherwise than by means of a duly stamped meter.