S. 1 repealed (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 2 repealed (7.11.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 3 repealed (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 8; S.I. 2001/3266, arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 4AA substituted (20.12.2000) for s. 4 by 2000 c. 27, s. 9; S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 4AA(4)(b)(i) substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 17 para. 81 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)
S. 4AB inserted (20.12.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 10; S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 4A substituted (20.12.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 11; S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch.(subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-15)
S. 4B inserted (20.12.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 12; S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in
Words in s. 4B(3) substituted (1.4.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 15(2); S.I. 2003/766, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3) (as amended (20.7.2007) by S.I. 2007/1846, reg. 3(2), Sch.)
S. 4AA(2)(b) amended (temp. from 19.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3343, art. 5 (subject to transitional provisions in
S. 4B(3) excluded (20.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3343, art. 10(1)(b) (subject to transitional provisions in
The principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (in this Act referred to as “
The Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out those functions in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated to further the principal objective, having regard to—
the need to secure that, so far as it is economical to meet them, all reasonable demands in Great Britain for gas conveyed through pipes are met; and
the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities which are the subject of obligations imposed by or under this Part or the Utilities Act 2000.
In performing that duty, the Secretary of State or the Authority shall have regard to the interests of—
individuals who are disabled or chronically sick;
individuals of pensionable age;
individuals with low incomes; and
individuals residing in rural areas;
but that is not to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of consumer.
The Secretary of State and the Authority may, in carrying out any function under this Part, have regard to—
the interests of consumers in relation to electricity conveyed by distribution systems (within the meaning of the
any interests of consumers in relation to—
communications services and electronic communications apparatus, or
water services or sewerage services (within the meaning of the
which are affected by the carrying out of that function.
Subject to subsection (2), the Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out their respective functions under this Part in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated—
to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised by licences or exemptions to carry on any activity, and the efficient use of gas conveyed through pipes;
to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance of gas through pipes or from the use of gas conveyed through pipes; and
to secure a diverse and viable long-term energy supply,
and shall have regard, in carrying out those functions, to the effect on the environment of activities connected with the conveyance of gas through pipes.
In this section “
In this section and sections 4AB and 4A, references to functions of the Secretary of State or the Authority under this Part include a reference to functions under the Utilities Act 2000 which relate to gas conveyed through pipes.
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—
“
“
The Secretary of State shall from time to time issue guidance about the making by the Authority of a contribution towards the attainment of any social or environmental policies set out or referred to in the guidance.
The Authority shall, in carrying out its functions under this Part, have regard to any guidance issued under this section.
Before issuing guidance under this section the Secretary of State shall consult—
the Authority;
the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (in this Act referred to as “
licence holders; and
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to consult in relation to the guidance.
A draft of any guidance proposed to be issued under this section shall be laid before each House of Parliament.
Guidance shall not be issued under this section until after the period of forty days beginning with—
the day on which the draft is laid before each House of Parliament; or
if the draft is laid before the House of Lords on one day and the House of Commons on another, the later of those two days.
If, before the end of that period, either House resolves that the guidance should not be issued, the Secretary of State must not issue it.
In reckoning any period of forty days for the purposes of subsection (5) or (6), no account shall be taken of any time during which—
Parliament is dissolved or prorogued; or
both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
The Secretary of State shall arrange for any guidance issued under this section to be published in such manner as he considers appropriate.
The Secretary of State and the Authority shall consult the Health and Safety Commission about all gas safety issues which may be relevant to the carrying out of any of their respective functions under this Part.
The Secretary of State and the Authority shall, in carrying out their respective functions under this Part, take into account any advice given by the Health and Safety Commission about any gas safety issue (whether or not in response to consultation under subsection (1)).
For the purposes of this section a gas safety issue is anything concerning the conveyance of gas through pipes, or the use of gas conveyed through pipes, which may affect the health and safety of—
members of the public; or
persons employed in connection with the conveyance of gas through pipes or the supply of gas conveyed through pipes.
Section 4AA does not apply in relation to the issuing by the Secretary of State of guidance under section 4AB.
Sections 4AA to 4A do not apply in relation to anything done by the Authority—
in the exercise of functions relating to the determination of disputes; or
in the exercise of functions under section 36A(3).
The Authority may nevertheless, when exercising any function under section 36A(3), have regard to any matter in respect of which a duty is imposed by sections 4AA to 4A if it is a matter to which
The duties imposed by sections 4AA to 4A do not affect the obligation of the Authority or the Secretary of State to perform or comply with any other duty or requirement (whether arising under this Act or another enactment, by virtue of any Community obligation or otherwise).