Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

6.81 The London Gaslight Act 1852 140 repealed earlier legislation relating to the
Company and provided a new share structure and constitution for the Company.
The Company was authorised to do everything necessary for supplying its
customers with gas and gas products. The London Gaslight Act 1857 141
authorised the Company to issue new debenture stock and to defer dividend
payments to preference shareholders. The London Gaslight Act 1866 142
authorised the Company to raise additional funds by issuing new shares and
bonds. The London Gaslight Act 1880 143 authorised the Company to sell or let to
its gas customers not only gas but also stoves, pipes and other appliances for
heating and cooking purposes.
6.82 The four London Gaslight Acts have long been obsolete. The Company ceased
to exist as an independent company in 1883 when it was amalgamated with the
Gas Light and Coke Company. Nationalisation of the gas industry on 1 May 1949
resulted in the establishment of twelve Area Boards. 144 One of these Boards, the
North Thames Gas Board, was vested with the property, rights, liabilities and
obligations of the Gas Light and Coke Company which then ceased to exist. 145
The four Acts thereupon became obsolete.
140 15 & 16 Vict. c.lxxxii.
141 20 & 21 Vict. c.lxxiii.
142 29 & 30 Vict. c.lv.
143 43 & 44 Vict. c.xcvi.
144 Gas Act 1948, s 17(1); Gas (Vesting Date) Order 1949, SI 1949 No 392.
145 The North Thames Gas Board was dissolved on 1 January 1973 when it became a region
of the British Gas Corporation (“the BGC”). All the assets of the Area Boards then vested in
the BGC. The property, rights and liabilities of the BGC vested in British Gas plc on 24
August 1986 in preparation for privatisation of the company. The privatised company
demerged to form two separate companies in February 1997. Centrica plc took over
responsibility for the gas supply business within the UK, whilst BG plc took over
responsibility for the gas transportation business (Transco) and the international
exploration and production business.
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