The Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act 1973 had been enacted during the 1973 oil crisis, but had to be renewed annually.

The Government thought it would be expedient to put these emergency powers on a permanent basis.

It provided the Secretary of State with the power to make Orders requiring the fuel consumption of cars to be made public.

Its long title is ‘An Act to make further provision with respect to the nation's resources and use of energy’.

The Act comprises 23 Section and 4 Schedules Permanent and reserve powers for energy conservation and control Maintenance of fuel reserves Offshore natural gas Other measures for controlling energy sources and promoting economy Miscellaneous and general Schedules The Act repealed the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act 1973 except as it applied to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.