54 Exercise of functions: general.U.K.
(1)The Council shall, in exercising its functions in relation to relevant postal services, have regard to the interests of different users of relevant postal services (including, in particular, the interests of users in different areas).
(2)The Council shall, in exercising its functions, have regard to the interests of—
(a)individuals who are disabled or chronically sick,
(b)individuals of pensionable age,
(c)individuals with low incomes, and
(d)individuals residing in rural areas,
but that is not to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of persons.
(3)So far as the Council considers it practicable to do so with a view to facilitating the exercise of its functions, it shall collect and keep under review information about—
(a)the provision (in the United Kingdom and elsewhere) of postal services, and
(b)the interests and views of users of postal services in the United Kingdom and matters affecting those interests and views.
(4)As part of the arrangements it makes for exercising its functions, the Council—
(a)shall establish—
(i)a committee for Scotland,
(ii)a committee for Wales, and
(iii)a committee for Northern Ireland,
(b)may establish other committees for any areas within Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and
(c)shall establish at least one committee, and may establish other committees, in relation to England (whether a committee for England or a committee for an area within England).
(5)The purposes of a committee established under subsection (4) (in this Act referred to as a “regional committee”) shall be—
(a)the provision of advice and information to the Council about relevant postal issues affecting the area for which it is established, and
(b)such other purposes as the Council may determine.
(6)The Council shall maintain in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at least one office at which users of relevant postal services may apply for information.