Gas Undertakings Act 1934

The Gas Undertakings Act 1934 (24 & 25 Geo. 5. c. 28 ) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which amended the law with respect to gas company undertakings.

Background The UK Board of Trade had established the National Fuel and Power Committee - known as the Wrottesley Committee - to inquire into the competitiveness of the gas industry in relation to the growing electricity industry. The committee’s second report (Command Paper 3252) and final report (Command Paper 4288) published in 1933, recommended amending and modernizing the laws governing gas supply companies (undertakings). The 1934 Act enacted these recommendations. It gave undertakers the power to establish flexible pricing and allowed the averaging of gas calorific values, and regulated commissions. It also expanded the Board of Trade's oversight of the industry.

Gas Undertakings Act 1934 The Gas Undertakings Act 1934 received royal assent on 28 June 1934. Its long title is ‘An Act to amend the law with respect to gas undertakings’

Provisions The Act comprises 36 Sections under five headings and three Schedules

Capital and Renewal Funds

Section 1. Issue of share capital by undertakings

Section 2. Mode of issue of debenture stock

Section 3. Power for certain undertakers to pay underwriting commission

Section 4. Power of certain undertakers to issue redeemable preference and debenture stock

Section 5. Limits of renewal fund

Charges for Gas

Section 6. Publication of prices by undertakers and consequences thereof

Section 7. Provisions as to special contracts

Section 8. Repeal of limitation on discounts

Non-statutory Undertakers and Undertakers other than Thermal Unit Undertakers

Section 9. Imposition of statutory powers and duties on non-statutory undertakers

Section 10. Purity and pressure of gas supplied by certain undertakers

Section 11. Annual return of gas supplied to be furnished by non-statutory undertakers

Amendments of Principal Act

Section 12. Abolition of offices of chief gas examiner and gas referees

Section 13. Appointment of gas examiners

Section 14. Amendment as to deficiency in calorific value

Section 15. Amendments as to special orders

Section 16. Amendment of Section 15 of Principal Act

Miscellaneous and General

Section 17. Further facilities for co-operation between undertakers

Section 18. Notice to be given by gas consumers before quitting premises

Section 19. Consumers quitting premises without paying gas charges

Section 20. Provision as to cutting off supply where occupier in default

Section 21. Provision as to entry on premises

Section 22. Amendment as to charges for fittings connected with a pre-payment meter

Section 23. Erroneous registration of meters

Section 24. Stand-by supplies

Section 25. Use of anti-fluctuators and valves

Section 26. Appointment of officers as directors 8 & 9 Vict. c. 16

Section 27. Avoidance of provisions in leases & c. preventing supply of gas

Section 28. Expenses and powers of the Board of Trade 22 & 23 Geo. 5. c. 40

Section 29. Expenses of local authorities

Section 30. Expenses of members and officers of local authorities & c.

Section 31. Minor and consequential amendments 19 & 20 Geo 5. c.24

Section 32. Interpretation

Section 33. Repeals

Section 34. Power of Scottish local authorities to borrow for purposes of special order 39 & 40 Vict. c. 49

Section 35. Application to Scotland

Section 36. Short title, citation, extent and commencement

Schedules

1. Provisions as to issue and redemption of redemptionable and redeemed stock

2. Minor amendments

3.Enactments repealed

Amendments The Act was repealed by the Gas Act 1948.

Gas Undertakings Act 1934

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