Metropolis Gas Act 1860

Last updated

Metropolis Gas Act 1860 [1]
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (1837).svg
Long title An Act for better regulating the Supply of Gas to the Metropolis.
Citation 23 & 24 Vict. c. 125
Dates
Royal assent 28 August 1860
Repealed16 June 1977
Other legislation
Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 1875
Repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1977
Status: Repealed
Text of statute as originally enacted

The Metropolis Gas Act 1860 (23 & 24 Vict. c. 125) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Bill for this Act was the Gas (Metropolis) Bill. [2] The Metropolis Gas Act 1860 regulated the operation of gas supply companies in London.

Contents

As to the effect of the Gas Light and Coke Company's Act 1868 and the City Gas Act 1868 on this Act, see Gas Light and Coke Company v Vestry of St George's. [3]

Background

The use of coal gas for illumination and heating had expanded since its invention in the early 18th century by William Murdoch, a Scottish engineer. By the middle of the nineteenth century there were nearly one thousand gas companies within Great Britain with thirteen in London. Increasing competition had led to falling dividends and by the 1850s the industry welcomed change.

Provisions

Section 6

As to this section, see Gaslight and Coke Company v South Metropolitan Gas Company. [4]

Section 14

This section, from "Provided that it shall not be lawful" to the end of this section, was repealed by section 1 of, and the Schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1875, [5] because it was spent. [6]

Section 36

This section, from "provided that" to the end of this section, was repealed by section 1 of, and the Schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1875, because it was spent. [6]

Section 56

This section was repealed by section 1 of, and the Schedule to, the Statute Law Revision Act 1875, because it was spent. [6]

Outcome

The Metropolis Gas Act 1860 ended the severe competition and encroachment on rival companies' gas supply areas. It permitted companies to arrange for the monopoly lighting of allotted districts.

The Act included the first attempt to produce a standard measure for energy supply when it defined the term candle power.

The monopoly status of the gas companies led to overcharging and abuse resulting in a public outcry. A select committee was formed to decide on the best response, and as a result the City of London Gas Act 1868 (quickly extended to cover the entire metropolitan area) tried to regularise this by forcing the remaining gas companies to open their accounts to public view.

References

  1. The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by section 1 of this Act.
  2. "Gas (Metropolis) Bill". Index to Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, in the Second Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of the United Kingdom. 23° & 24° Victoria. 1860.
  3. (1872) 41 LJQB (NS) 360 Ch D; affirmed (1873) 8 Cox's Magistrates' Cases 120, Ex Ch
  4. (1887) 57 Law Times Reports 557; [1888] 1 Weekly Notes 46 Ch D. See also John Mews, The Annual Digest . . . during the Year 1893, p 131.
  5. The Statute Law Revision Act 1875, section 1 and  Schedule
  6. 1 2 3 Statute Law Revision Bill 1875