18 Preliminary investigation of disputes by Gas Consumers’ CouncilE+W+S
The following section shall be inserted in the M1Gas Act 1986, after section 32—
“32A Preliminary investigation by Council of certain disputes.
(1)This section applies where—
(a)representations are made to the Council by or on behalf of a person who appears to the Council to have an interest in the matter to which the representations relate; and
(b)that matter appears to the Council to constitute a dispute of a kind which may be referred to the Director under section 14A above or 33A below, or under regulations made under section 15A above.
(2)It shall be the duty of the Council—
(a)to inform the person by or on whose behalf the representations are made that he may have the right to refer his dispute to the Director; and
(b)to make such investigations with respect to the matter to which the representations relate as may be specified in a direction given by the Director.
(3)Any such direction may be given so as to apply generally or to a specified class of matter or particular matter and may, in particular, specify in relation to any investigation which the Council is required to make under this section—
(a)the practice and procedure which it is to follow in conducting its investigation; and
(b)the information which it is to give to the Director with respect to the matter investigated.”