42.—(1) The Board may whenever it so thinks proper by order alter the area of supply of any authorised undertaker either by way of extension or of reduction or of both extension and reduction of such area.

(2) Whenever the Board makes an order under this section altering an area of supply of an authorised undertaker such area as so altered shall for all purposes be the area of supply of such authorised undertaker and the Act, order, memorandum of association, or other document constituting such authorised undertaker and also the Act or order by virtue of which he is an authorised undertaker shall have effect accordingly.

(3) Whenever the Board makes an order under this section altering an area of supply of an authorised undertaker the Board shall by such order make such (if any) adaptations of the Act, order, memorandum of association, or other document constituting such authorised undertaker and of the Act or order by virtue of which he is an authorised undertaker as shall appear to the Board to be necessary to enable such document, Act, or order to have effect in respect of the area of supply as so altered as fully as it had in such area of supply before it was so altered.

(4) The Board shall not by an order under this section add to the area of supply of an authorised undertaker any area which at the date of such order is part of the area of supply of another authorised undertaker.

(5) This section shall apply to an area of supply of which the Board is the authorised undertaker as fully as it applies to any other area of supply.

(6) The Board shall not alter the area of supply of an authorised undertaker (other than the Board itself) under this section without previously giving such authorised undertaker an opportunity to be heard in respect of such alteration.

(7) An order made by the Board under this section may provide that such order shall come into operation on a date subsequent but not more than six months subsequent to the date of such order, and when any such order so provides such order shall come into operation accordingly.