1(1)The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Director, may authorise a public gas supplier to purchase compulsorily any land.
(2)In sub-paragraph (1) above "land" includes any right over land; and the power of the Secretary of State under that subparagraph includes power to authorise the acquisition of rights over land by creating new rights as well as acquiring existing ones.
2(1)This paragraph applies to land which—
(a)for the purposes of the [1981 c. 67.] Acquisition of Land Act 1981, is or forms part of a common, open space or a fuel or field garden allotment; or
(b)for the purposes of the [1947 c. 42.] Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947, is or forms part of a common or open space.
(2)Where for any purpose a public gas supplier has acquired, or proposes to acquire, any land to which this paragraph applies, or any right over any such land, and other land is required for the purpose of being given in exchange for the land or right in question, the Secretary of State may authorise the supplier to purchase that other land compulsorily, or he may acquire it by agreement.
3Where a public gas supplier has acquired any land by virtue of paragraph 1 above, he shall not dispose of that land or of any interest in or right over it except with the consent of the Director.