[1] The government recognised that there had been significant technological progress and changes in the gas industry since nationalisation in 1949.

[2] A subsidiary purpose was to amend Section 52 of the 1948 Act dealing with the industry's monopoly of piped gas supplies for use as fuel.

It was also enabled to manufacture, treat, supply or sell solid fuels, products or by-products, in the same way as the area boards.

It acted as the central purchaser of natural gas from Algeria and the North Sea, the distribution of which was national enterprise.

[6] The Act allowed the Minister to appoint three extra members to the Gas Council board, this was increased to five in 1968.