Post Office Act 1969
PART IAbolition of Office of master of the Post Office
1Abolition of office of master of the Post Office
PART IIThe Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and his Functions
2The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications
3Transfer to the Minister of the Postmaster General's functions with respect to wireless telegraphy, and provisions consequential thereon
4Transfer to the Minister of the Postmaster General's functions under section 6 of the Commonwealth Telegraphs Act 1949
5Transfer to the Minister of the Postmaster General's power to make orders under the Recorded Delivery Service Act 1962
PART IIIThe new Authority for the Conduct of postal and telegraphic Business
The Post Office
6The Post Office
Powers and Duties of the Post Office
7Powers of the Post Office
8Furnishing of overseas aid by the Post Office
9General duty of the Post Office
10Power to promote and oppose Bills,
Powers of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications over the Post Office
11General ministerial control and supervision of the Post Office
12Power of the Minister to direct the Post Office to do work for government departments and local authorities
13Restriction of carrying on by the Post Office and its subsidiaries of certain activities
The Post Office Users' Councils
14The Post Office Users' Councils
15Duty of the Post Office to consult the Post Office Users' National Council about certain proposals
General Provisions as to Transfer to the Post Office of Property, Rights and Liabilities of the Postmaster General
16Vesting in the Post Office of property, rights and liabilities generally
17Power of the Minister to override section 16 in case of difficulty or uncertainty
18Vesting in the Post Office of rights and liabilities under certain contracts conferring on the Crown incidental rights as to patents,
19Transfer of assets of the Post Office Fund and general reserve, of certain other moneys, and of certain investments
Transfer to the Post Office of the Postmaster General's statutory Rights and Liabilities as to Mails and Telegraphs and of Rights and Liabilities, &c, of his under certain Acts authorising the Acquisition of Land or the Execution of Works
20Rights and liabilities as to conveyance of mails
21Rights and liabilities as to telegraphs
22Rights and liabilities, arising out of Acts authorising the acquisition of land or the execution of works
Exclusive Privilege of the Post Office with respect to the Conveyance, &c, of Letters
23Exclusive privilege of the Post Office with respect to the conveyance, of letters
Exclusive Privilege of the Post Office with respect to Telecommunication
24Exclusive privilege of the Post Office with respect to telecommunication
25General classes of acts not infringing the telecommunication privilege
26Acts relating to broadcasting not infringing the telecommunication privilege
27Saving for things done under licence
Charges and other Terms and Conditions applicable to Services
28Schemes for determining charges and other terms and conditions applicable to services
Limitation of Liability
29Exclusion of liability of the Post Office, its officers and servants, in relation to posts and telecommunications
30The Post Office to be subject to limited liability in respect of registered inland packets
Finance
31General duty of the Post Office as to finance
32General reserve
33The Post Office's commencing capital debt
34The Post Office to be liable in respect of loans and guarantees under section 8 of the Post Office Act 1961
35The Post Office's borrowing powers
36Limitation of indebtedness
37Loans by the Minister to the Post Office
38Treasury guarantees
39Accounts of the Minister with reference to Post Office indebtedness to him
Banking
40The Post Office as banker
41The Post Office's liabilities as banker to be matched by cash and liquid assets
The Post Office's Accounts, and Audit thereof
42The Post Office's accounts, and audit thereof
Pensions and other Benefits
43Staff pensions
44The Post Office to pay pensions, referable to the service of certain former civil servants
45Amendment of sections 12 and 13 of the Superannuation Act 1965
46The Post Office to be liable, in certain cases, for part payment of pensions of certain former civil servants
47Making, by the Minister, in consideration of the Exchequer's being relieved of certain liabilities with respect to pensions, of payments to trustees appointed by the Post Office
48Amendment of section 6 of the Commonwealth Telegraphs Act 1949
49Provisions as to pensions of former employees of Cable and Wireless Limited and certain other persons
50The Post Office to continue payment of the remaining pension under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Act 1915
51Payments to the Post Office out of the National Insurance Fund and the Industrial Injuries Fund
Rating
52Rating in England and Wales
53Rating in Scotland
54Rating in Northern Ireland
Lands
55Compulsory purchase of land in Great Britain
56Compulsory purchase of land in Northern Ireland
57Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in England or Wales
58Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Scotland
59Entry, for exploratory purposes, on land in Northern Ireland
60Application, to acquisitions of land by the Post Office by agreement, of certain statutory provisions relating to compulsory purchase
61Power to sell to the Post Office land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster
62Requisitions on title as to Treasury consent to dealings with land precluded
63Status of land vested in the Post Office by virtue of Part III
Miscellaneous Matters
64Inviolability of mails
65Obligation of secrecy
66Harbour charges on mail-bags
67Mail-bags not to be subject to control by harbour authorities
68Abolition of exemptions from tolls
69Documentary evidence as to sums due for services
70Provisions as to money and postal orders
71Recoupment of losses on money orders wrongly paid to bankers
72Remuneration of the Post Office for services rendered in relation to parliamentary elections
73Reimbursement by the Post Office of the Minister of contributions to international organisations
74Taxation of the Post Office's profits and capital gains
75Records
76Consequential adaptations of enactments
77Repair of minor statutory deficiencies
78Penalization of improper use of telecommunication services
79Amendment of law as to packets addressed to a poste restante
80Provision of information to persons holding office under the Crown
81Modification of enactments relating to wages councils
82Power of the Minister, pending transfer to the Minister of Transport from county councils of functions connected with issue of vehicle excise licences, to direct the Post Office to issue such licences
83Repeal of certain provisions of the Telegraph Act 1868
84Exemption from postage of certain petitions and addresses, and limitation of amount of postage recoverable in respect of parliamentary proceedings
85Final accounts under the Post Office Act 1961
86Interpretation of Part III
87Power of Her Majesty in Council to make necessary provision if the Post Office surrenders privileges as regards the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
Extent of Part III and related Schedules
88Extent of Part III and related Schedules
PART IVControl of Programme Distribution Systems
89Licensing of distribution systems
90Provisions as to licences under section 89
91Entry and search of premises
92Orders and regulations
PART VProvisions for securing the Continuance of the Carrying on, under the Auspices of a Director of Savings in Place of the Postmaster General, of certain financial Business
The Director of Savings
93Appointment, and functions and expenses, of the Director of Savings
Replacement of the Postmaster General by the Director of Savings for the Purposes of the Post Office Savings Bank Acts 1954 and 1966, and Provisions consequential thereon
94The National Savings Bank
95Application of ordinary deposits
96Consequential amendment of section 3 of the Post Office Savings Bank Act 1966
97Debit to the National Savings Bank Investment Account Fund of expenses of the Director of Savings and contributions in lieu of tax
98Annual statement with respect to ordinary deposits and expenses
99Adjustment of balances relating to ordinary deposits
100Annual accounts with respect to investment deposits
101Ultimate liability of the Consolidated Fund for repayment of deposits
102Certain sums to be treated as expenses incurred by the Director of Savings
103Amendment of section 10(1) of the Post Office Savings Bank Act 1954
104Amendment of section 12(3) of the Post Office Savings Bank Act 1954
105Parliamentary control of regulation-making powers under the Post Office Savings Bank Acts 1954 and 1966
106Selective employment refunds referable to employment in the National Savings Bank
107Vesting in the Minister of Public Building and Works of the Postmaster General's interest in certain lands in Hammersmith
Replacement of the Postmaster General by the Director of Savings for the Purposes of the National Debt Act 1958 and the National Loans Act 1968, and Provisions consequential thereon
108The stock register kept under Part I of the National Debt Act 1958
109Power of the Treasury to raise money under the auspices of the Director of Savings
110Amendment of section 12 of the National Debt Act 1958
111Power to replace lost or destroyed bonds issued by the Postmaster General or the Director of Savings
112Amendment of section 35 of the Finance Act 1961
Credits to the Post Office in respect of certain capital Expenditure incurred by the Postmaster General in Connection with annuity, savings bank and national debt Functions
113Credits to the Post Office in respect of certain capital expenditure incurred by the Postmaster General in connection with annuity, savings bank and national debt functions
Extent of Part V and Schedule 6
114Extent of Part V and Schedule 6
PART VIStamps and Stamp Duties
Stamps
115Use of postage stamps for revenue purposes
116Allowance by Commissioners of Inland Revenue for spoiled postage stamps
117Application of section 9 of the Stamp Act 1891, and provisions as to proceedings thereunder relating to postage stamps
118Application of section 13 of the Stamp Duties Management Act 1891 to frauds touching postage stamps, and consequential amendment of section 16 of that Act
119Power of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to stamp paper for the Post Office
120Validity of existing stamps
121Amendment of the Insurance Acts as to stamps for payment of contributions
122Power to apply to national savings stamps provisions with respect to revenue and postage stamps
123Meaning of " postage " and " postage stamp "
Stamp Duties
124Composition for stamp duty on the Post Office's money orders
125Composition for stamp duty on foreign money orders presented to the Post Office for payment
126Postal orders to be exempt from stamp duty
127Extension of section 52 of the Finance Act 1946
Special Provisions with respect to Northern Ireland
128Application of foregoing provisions of Part VI to Northern Ireland
129Exemption of Act from stamp duty in Northern Ireland
PART VIIMiscellaneous and General
130Power of the Treasury to dispose of their interest in the shares of Cable and Wireless Limited
131Settlement of certain financial matters outstanding on the appointed day
132Extension of regulation-making power under section 52(2) of the Government Annuities Act 1929
133Power of managers of certain welfare funds to preserve their scope
134Issue by local authorities in Great Britain of dog and game licences
135Remuneration of the Post Office for issuing dog and game licences in England and Wales
136Expenses
137Cesser of obsolete, enactments
138Transitional provisions
139Application to Northern Ireland
140Construction of references to enactments
141Repeals
142Short title
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1Incidental Provisions with respect to the Post Office and the Members thereof
Status
1The Post Office shall be a body corporate having perpetual...
Members
2(1) A member of the Post Office shall hold and...
3(1) Before appointing a person to be a member of...
4(1) The Post Office— (a) shall pay to the members...
5(1) If the Minister is satisfied that a member of...
6Part II of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons...
Proceedings
7The validity of any proceedings of the Post Office shall...
8The quorum of the Post Office shall be three; and,...
9Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Schedule, the Post...
Staff
10The Post Office shall appoint a secretary of the Post...
11(1) Except so far as the Post Office is satisfied...
12(1) Except with the Minister's consent, the Post Office shall...
Fixing of Seal and Proof of Instruments
13The fixing of the seal of the Post Office shall...
14A certificate signed by the secretary of the Post Office...
15Every document purporting to be an instrument made or issued...
SCHEDULE 2Glasses of Assets to be held by the Post Office to match its Debts to its banking Customers
PART IClasses of Assets to be held to match a Proportion, determined under Section 41 of this Act, of Debts
1Cash.
2Money held on current account by other bankers on behalf...
3Loans repayable either on demand or not later than the...
4Loans of either of the kinds mentioned in paragraph 9...
5Treasury bills payable not more than ninety-one days from date...
6Assets of such other class as may from time to...
PART IIClasses of Assets to be held to match the Residue of Debts
7Cash.
8Money held as mentioned in paragraph 2 above.
9Loans of the class specified in paragraph 3 above.
10Loans of the class specified in paragraph 4 above.
11Treasury bills and bills of Her Majesty's Government in Northern...
12Assets of a class for the time being designated under...
13Marketable fixed interest securities issued by Her Majesty's Government in...
14Marketable fixed interest securities in the case of which the...
15Loans of either of the kinds mentioned in paragraph 9...
16Securities of the kind mentioned in the said paragraph 9,...
17Assets of such other class as may from time to...
SCHEDULE 3Modifications of Schedules 5 and 6 to the Roads Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 for the Purposes of Orders made under Section 56 of this Act
1For any reference in Schedule 5 to the Roads Act...
2For any reference in Schedules 5 and 6 to the...
3(1) Paragraph 2(2) of the said Schedule 5 shall be...
4For any reference in the said Schedules to the said...
5(1) For the purposes of a vesting order in respect...
6In paragraph 10 of the said Schedule 5, for the...
SCHEDULE 4Adaptations of Enactments and Orders in Council consequential on the Assumption by the new Authority for the Conduct of postal and telegraphic Business of Functions exercised and performed before the appointed Day by the Postmaster General
PART IInterpretation
1In this Schedule "the authority" means the authority established by...
PART IIAdaptations of public general Enactments
Adaptations of Enactments relating to the Post
2(1) With reference to any point of time after the...
3As from the appointed day, section 1 of the Recorded...
Adaptations of Enactments relating to Telegraphs
4References to the company, the Postmaster General or the Post...
5As from the appointed day, section 5(1) of the Telegraph...
6The reference to the Postmaster General in section 2(1) of...
7(1) Any such notice or counter-notice as follows, namely.—
Adaptations of Enactments relating to the Supply of Electricity
8As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
9As from the appointed day, section 26 of the Electric...
10As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
11As from the appointed day, references to a private generating...
12(1) As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster...
13As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
Adaptations of other Enactments
14As from the appointed day, section 11 of the Juries...
15As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
16As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
17As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
18As from the appointed day, the reference to Her Majesty's...
19As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
20As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
21(1) For the purposes of section 2 of the Official...
22As from the appointed day, section 187 of the Bankruptcy...
23As from the appointed day, references in section 24 of...
24With reference to any point of time after the beginning...
25As from the appointed day, the reference in the definition...
26As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
27The reference to the Postmaster General in section 79(3) of...
28As from the appointed day, section 5 of the Roads...
29As from the appointed day, the reference in section 10...
30As from the appointed day, section 2(2)(e) of the Execution...
31As from the appointed day, section 14 of the Moneylenders...
32Section 61(1) of the Land Drainage Act 1930 (which protects...
33(1) As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster...
34As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
35As from the appointed day, the reference to the Post...
36(1) As from the appointed day, the authority shall be...
37(1) As from the appointed day, section 22(4) of the...
38(1) As from the appointed day, the references to the...
39As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
40(1) As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster...
41As from the appointed day, references to Post Office business...
42(1) The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947 shall,...
43As from the appointed day, the second reference to the...
44As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
45(1) The Special Roads Act 1949 shall, as from the...
46As from the appointed day, section 28(4)(c) of the Civil...
47(1) As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster...
48As from the appointed day, the reference in section 47(b)...
49As from the appointed day, section 1(2) of the War...
50As from the appointed day, the reference in section 17(2)...
51As from the appointed day, references to post office business...
52As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
53As from the appointed day, section 16 of the Defamation...
54As from the appointed day, references in section 6 of...
55As from the appointed day, the reference to the Post...
56As from the appointed day, the reference to the Post...
57As from the appointed day, references in paragraph 8 of...
58(1) Where the alteration of a telegraphic line of the...
59(1) Where any work proposed to be done on or...
60As from the appointed day, the reference in section 8(5)...
61As from the appointed day, references in subsections (1) and...
62As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
63As from the appointed day, section 3 of the Local...
64(1) As from the appointed day, references in section 45(1)...
65(1) The Highways Act 1959 shall, as from the appointed...
66As from the appointed day, references to the Post Office...
67As from the appointed day, section 7(1) of the Payment...
68As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
69As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
70As from the appointed day, Schedule 4 to the Public...
71(1) The Town and Country Planning Act 1962 shall, as...
72As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
73As from the appointed day, the references to the Postmaster...
74(1) No order made on or after the appointed day...
75As from the appointed day, references to the Postmaster General...
76As from the appointed day, the reference in subsection (1)...
77As from the appointed day, the reference in section 1(4)...
78(1) Where, on or after the appointed day, the Minister...
79Where, on or after the appointed day, the Ministry of...
80As from the appointed day, the Schedule to the Building...
81(1) As from the appointed day, Schedule 1 to the...
82As from the appointed day, Schedule 2 to the Industrial...
83(1) Where the alteration of a telegraphic line of the...
84As from the appointed day, paragraph 45(e) of Schedule 4...
85As from the appointed day, section 38(7) of the Countryside...
86(1) Where, on or after the appointed day, the Secretary...
87As from the appointed day, Schedule 1 to the Industrial...
88As from the appointed day, section 6 of the Transport...
89(1) As from the appointed day, section 69(1) of the...
90As from the appointed day, the authority shall be deemed...
91As from the appointed day, the reference to the Postmaster...
92(1) As from the appointed day, section 70(1) of the...
93(1) The authority shall be deemed to be statutory undertakers...
94Nothing in the Roads Improvement Act (Northern Ireland) 1928 or...
PART IIIAdaptations of local Enactments
95(1) Whereas the enactments specified in the two Lists below...
96(1) Nothing in— (a) the London Building Acts 1930 to...
97(1) As from the appointed day, subsections (2) and (3)...
98As from the appointed day, the references in section 120(1)...
99(1) Subsection (3) of section 77 of the Kingston upon...
100A benefit conferred on the Postmaster General by a provision...
101(1) As from the appointed day, a provision to which...
102Nothing in a local Act passed in the same Session...
PART IVAdaptation of Orders in Council
103As from the appointed day, references in the Parliamentary Writs...
104As from the appointed day, Article 7 of the Visiting...
SCHEDULE 5Repair of minor Deficiencies in certain Acts
1(1) In any proceedings against a person in respect of...
2(1) Section 16(1) of the Post Office Act 1953 shall...
3Section 63 of the Post Office Act 1953 shall have...
SCHEDULE 6Amendments of Acts consequential on Section 94 of this Act
PART IAmendments of the Post Office Savings Bank Act 1954
PART IIAmendments of the Post Office Savings Bank Act 1966
PART IIIAmendments of other Enactments
SCHEDULE 7Settlement of financial Matters outstanding on the Appointed Day
1(1) As soon as practicable after the appointed day, the...
2(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, any sums of...
3(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
4(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
5(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
6(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
7(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
8(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
9If, immediately before the appointed day, any sums of money...
10(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, any sum is...
11(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, there are in...
12Where, in respect of use before the appointed day of...
13Where, in respect of Use before the appointed day of...
14If, immediately before the appointed day, any sums of money...
15(1) Where, under any such arrangements as are mentioned in...
16(1) If, immediately before the appointed day, any sums of...
17(1) Any payment which, if this Act had not passed,...
18(1) The Secretary of State shall, out of the moneys...
SCHEDULE 8Obsolete, &c, Enactments ceasing to have Effect
PART IEnactments ceasing to have Effect on the Passing of this Act
PART IIEnactments ceasing to have Effect on the appointed Day
SCHEDULE 9General transitional Provisions
1(1) Section 3(1) of this Act shall not affect the...
2(1) Any agreement, and any provision in a document not...
3(1) Any such regulations as follows that are in force...
4Any postage or other sum payable under the Post Office...
5(1) References in sections 70 and 71 of this Act...
6An authorisation given under section 3(1), 61, 62 or 64...
7An undertaking given under section 51(2) or (3) of the...
8Where, on the appointed day there are in progress any...
9(1) This paragraph applies to the following instruments, namely.—
10(1) Any licence operating by way of exception from the...
11A notice or certificate given, request made or requirement imposed...
12An authority granted under section 5(1) of the Telegraph Act...
13Any such council as is mentioned in the Telegraph Act...
14(1) A notice given under section 26 of the Electric...
15An order under section 187 of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act...
16A notice given under section 24 of the Requisitioned Land...
17(1) No steps shall be taken for the enforcement of...
18(1) Any regulations under section 79 of the Representation of...
19(1) Any regulations under section 53 of the Electoral Law...
20(1) Nothing in Part III of this Act shall affect...
21A notice served under section 29 of the Income Tax...
22A notice given under section 6 of the Local Government...
23In relation to an agreement which, on the appointed day,...
24An order under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the...
25A notice given under section 5(4) of the Milford Haven...
26A notice given under section 3 of the Local Government...
27(1) Where, between the passing of this Act and the...
28(1) Notwithstanding section 83 of the Town and Country Planning...
29No enforcement notice shall be served by virtue of section...
30Neither an interim development authority, nor, where the Ministry of...
31(1) Subsection (2) of section 57 of the Landlord and...
32(1) A licensing authority to whom an application is made...
33(1) Where a person enters the employment of the Post...
34(1) For the purpose of computing, for the purposes of...
35(1) Where a person enters the employment of the Post...
36(1) Notwithstanding paragraph 82 of Schedule 4 to this Act,...
37(1) Notwithstanding paragraph 82 of Schedule 4 to this Act,...
38Where an interest of the Postmaster General in land vests...
39(1) Where— (a) in relation to relevant land, an act...
40(1) Where work begun before the passing of this Act,...
41(1) If, in the case of a hereditament vested in...
42(1) If, in the case of lands and heritages vested...
43(1) If, in the case of a hereditament vested in...
44(1) If an order made by virtue of section 67...
45An application by the Post Office made before the appointed...
46(1) The Postmaster General shall be under obligation to provide...
47All expenses incurred by the Post Office before the appointed...
48The following enactments, namely.— (a) section 107(1) of the National...
49Where works on land vested in the Post Office by...
50(1) Where, on the appointed day, a matter in dispute...
51An indemnity given under section 13 of the National Debt...
52Any reference to the Postmaster General in a prospectus issued...
53Where the Crown retains possession of any documents of title...
54Any legal proceedings or applications pending on the appointed day...
SCHEDULE 10Special transitional Provisions with respect to Patents for Inventions and Registered Designs
PART IPatents for Inventions
1For the purposes of so much of section 32(1) of...
2(1) Where an agreement in the case of which rights...
3Where, by an agreement in force immediately before the appointed...
4(1) If an obligation of the department of the Postmaster...
5Where, in the case of an invention, an authority for...
6The authority of the Post Office in respect of an...
7(1) The Post Office shall have power to use, for...
8(1) In relation to any use of a patented invention...
9(1) Any dispute as to the exercise by the Post...
10(1) Where, in pursuance of an agreement made before the...
11Expressions to which meanings are assigned by the Patents Act...
PART IIRegistered Designs
12(1) Where an agreement in the case of which rights...
13Where, by an agreement in force immediately before the appointed...
14(1) If an obligation of the department of the Postmaster...
15Where, in the case of a design, an authority for...
16The authority of the Post Office in respect of a...
17(1) In the case of articles vested in the Post...
18(1) In relation to any use of a registered design...
19(1) Any dispute as to the exercise by the Post...
20(1) Where, in pursuance of an agreement made before the...
21Expressions to which meanings are assigned by the Registered Designs...
SCHEDULE 11Repeals and Revocations
PART IEnactments repealed on the Passing of this Act
PART IIEnactments repealed on the appointed Day
PART IIIOrders in Council revoked on the appointed Day

Post Office Act 1969

1969 Chapter 48

An Act to abolish the office of master of the Post Office, distribute the business conducted by the holder thereof amongst authorities constituted for the purpose and make provision consequential on the abolition of that office and the distribution of the business so conducted; to amend, replace or repeal certain provisions of the enactments relating to posts, telegraphs and savings banks; to amend the law relating to stamp duty; and to empower the Treasury to dispose of their interest in the shares of Cable and Wireless Limited.

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—