Moved by
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
16: After Clause 7, insert the following new Clause—
“Powers of the OGA to charge fees
(1) The OGA may charge fees—
(a) for making a determination under Schedule 1 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975;
(b) on an application made to it under section 3, 15, 16 or 17 of the Petroleum Act 1998;
(c) on an application of a prescribed description made to it by the holder of a licence granted under—
(i) section 3 of that Act (searching for, boring and getting petroleum), or
(ii) section 2 of the Petroleum (Production) Act 1934 (licences to search for and get petroleum);
(d) on an application of a prescribed description made to it by the holder of an authorisation issued under section 15 of the Petroleum Act 1998;
(e) for carrying out or attending any test, examination or inspection of a prescribed description;
(f) on an application made to it under section 4 or 18 of the Energy Act 2008;
(g) on an application of a prescribed description made to it by the holder of a licence granted under section 4 or 18 of that Act;
(h) for the storage by it of samples or information in accordance with an information and samples plan (see section (Information and samples plans: supplementary) (2) of this Act).
(2) The fees—
(a) are to be determined by or in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State, and
(b) are to be payable by such persons as the regulations may provide.
(3) The OGA must pay into the Consolidated Fund any amount which it receives in respect of fees charged by it under this section.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply where the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Treasury, otherwise directs.
(5) Where in relation to any matter the OGA has a function mentioned in subsection (6), that function is treated for the purposes of this section as carried out pursuant to an application made to the OGA (whether or not there is any requirement to make such an application).
(6) The functions are—
(a) extending the term of a licence;
(b) giving its consent or approval in relation to any matter;
(c) objecting in relation to any matter.
(7) The Secretary of State must consult the OGA before making regulations under this section.
(8) In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.”