Part VII Miscellaneous and supplementary

Supplementary powers of the Secretary of State

102 Power to ensure compliance with the Postal Services Directive.

1

This section applies if the Secretary of State—

a

considers—

i

that F1an EU obligation under the Postal Services Directive is not being complied with, or

ii

that it is likely that any such obligation will not be complied with, and

b

has been unable to obtain any undertakings from any person or persons which are sufficient to satisfy him that the situation will be remedied.

2

The Secretary of State may by order make such provision as he considers appropriate to ensure that the obligation is or will be complied with.

3

An order under this section may, in particular—

a

confer functions on F2OFCOMF3, Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland or the GCCNI or modify their functions,

b

require any postal operator or any postal operators of a particular description to provide such postal services as are specified in or determined by or under the order,

c

specify terms and conditions on which such services are to be provided or provide for such terms and conditions to be determined by or under the order,

d

provide for the payment of sums out of money provided by Parliament for any purpose of the order,

e

provide for the enforcement of any provision of the order (including the creation of criminal offences punishable with a fine but not imprisonment).

4

Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult any postal operator on whom a requirement is to be imposed by virtue of the order.

5

In deciding whether to make an order under this section the Secretary of State shall, in particular, have regard to the likely impact of the order on any business of a postal operator on whom a requirement is to be imposed by virtue of the order.

F46

An order under this section may not—

a

confer a function on Citizens Advice or Citizens Advice Scotland, or

b

modify a function conferred on Citizens Advice or Citizens Advice Scotland by an order under this section,

unless that body consents to the conferring or modifying of the function.