Parkinson Cowan
It was common for gas cookers in the 1960s to have the grill (broiler) at eye level. The grill pan support is extended on each side to allow up to three plates to be stacked on each side so they could be warmed. If you look carefully you can see in the centre of the hob where the pilot was located for the burners.
This was the TOL model, I am really not sure of the purpose of the dial on the left rear, there was a cheaper model without this control and with solid oven door. As Austin says the tube on the side was a "portable" pilot for the oven and grill, not the safest arrangement in my opinion