Explanatory note

This Order grants a number of exemptions from the requirement under section 5 of the Gas Act 1986 to hold a licence for the transportation, supply and shipping of gas when carrying out those activities in the circumstances outlined in the Order.

All of the exemptions contained in this Order applied until 1^st March 2011 by virtue of several orders made between 1996 and 1999. Those orders were the Gas Act 1986 (Exemptions) (No 1) Order 1996 (1996/449); the Gas Act 1986 (Exemptions) (No 2) Order 1996 (1996/471); the Gas Act 1986 (Exemptions) (No 4) Order 1996 (1996/2765); the Gas Act 1986 (Exemption) Order 1997 (1997/2427); the Gas Act 1986 (Exemptions) Order 1999 (1999/2639); and the Gas Act 1986 (Exemptions) (No 2) Order 1999 (1999/3089). All of those orders contained provision stating that they continue in force until 1st March 2011 and then expire.

Article 4 of this Order grants exemption from the requirement to hold a licence when transporting gas (conveying gas through pipes to premises, or to pipeline systems operated by gas transporters) in the circumstances described in the articles found in part 2 of the Order. Article 5 grants exemption from the requirement to hold a licence when supplying gas to premises in the circumstances described in the articles found in part 3 of the Order. Article 6 grants exemption from the requirement to hold a licence when shipping (arranging with a gas transporter for gas to be introduced into, conveyed by means of or taken out of a pipeline system operated by that transporter) in the circumstances described in the articles found in part 4.

An impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the public and voluntary sector is available from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Energy Strategy and Futures Directorate, 4th Floor, 3 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2AW. Copies have also been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.