The Gas Council was a UK government body that provided strategic oversight of the gas industry in England, Wales and Scotland between 1949 and 1972. The British gas industry was nationalised under the provisions of the Gas Act 1948 (11 & 12 Geo. 6 c. 67) which established the Gas Council with effect from 1 May 1949. The Council acted as channel of communication between the Minister of Fuel and Power and the industry; it carried out research; undertook labour negotiations on matters such as wages; and acted as the voice of the gas industry. The Gas Council was abolished on 31 December 1972 under the terms of the Gas Act 1972 (1972 c. 60). This restructuring of the gas industry, to manage the advent of North Sea gas, established the British Gas Corporation to centralise control and operation