(1)It shall be the duty of the Post Office (consistently with any directions given to it under the provisions of Part III of the 1969 Act or this Part) so to exercise its powers as to provide throughout the United Kingdom (save in so far as they are provided by other persons or the provision thereof is, in its opinion, impracticable or not reasonably practicable) such services for the conveyance of letters as satisfy all reasonable demands for them.
(2)It shall also be the duty of the Post Office, in exercising its powers, to have regard to—
(a)efficiency and economy;
(b)the social, industrial and commercial needs of the United Kingdom with respect to matters that are subserved by its powers;
(c)the desirability of improving and developing its operating systems; and
(d)developments in the fields of communications and banking.
(3)Subsection (1) shall not be taken to preclude the Post Office from interrupting, suspending or restricting, in the case of emergency, any service provided by it.
(4)Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing upon the Post Office, either directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court.
(5)This section shall come into operation on the appointed day.