Licensing of activities relating to gas

5Prohibition on unlicensed activities

1

Subject to section 6A below and Schedule 2A to this Act, a person who—

a

conveys gas through pipes to any premises, or to a pipe-line system operated by a public gas transporter;

b

supplies to any premises gas which has been conveyed to those premises through pipes; or

c

arranges with a public gas transporter for gas to be introduced into, conveyed by means of or taken out of a pipe-line system operated by that transporter,

shall be guilty of an offence unless he is authorised to do so by a licence.

2

The exceptions to subsection (1) above which are contained in Schedule 2A to this Act shall have effect.

3

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

a

on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

b

on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

4

No proceedings shall be instituted in England and Wales in respect of an offence under this section except by or on behalf of the Secretary of State or the Director.

5

Any reference in this Part to the conveyance by any person of gas through pipes to any premises is a reference to the conveyance by him of gas through pipes to those premises with a view to the gas being supplied to those premises by any person, or being used in those premises by the holder of a licence under section 7A(2) below.