Postal Services Bill (HL Bill 70)

(5) The publication must be in such manner as OFCOM consider appropriate for
bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be
5affected by it.

(6) If OFCOM determine that it is or would be unfair for the provider to bear, or
to continue to bear, the whole or a part of that burden, they must submit a
report to the Secretary of State setting out their recommendations as to the
action (if any) that they consider ought to be taken to deal with the burden.

(7) 10The report may make recommendations—

(a) about the order in which action ought to be taken, and

(b) as to whether the taking of action ought to be contingent on the success
or otherwise of the taking of other action.

(8) The recommended action may consist of one or more of the following—

(a) 15the carrying out of a review under section 34 (review of minimum
requirements),

(b) requiring contributions to be made in accordance with section 46 for
meeting some or all of that burden, and

(c) the making of a procurement determination.

(9) 20A procurement determination is a determination by OFCOM as to whether, in
their opinion, any particular postal operator or operators (which may include
the provider) could provide any of the postal services required to be provided
by the universal service obligations concerned in a way which would mean
that—

(a) 25no unfair financial burden would be imposed on any person (or
persons) in complying with those obligations, or

(b) the financial burden imposed on any person (or persons) in complying
with those obligations would be less unfair than the one mentioned in
subsection (6).

(10) 30A procurement determination must be made in accordance with regulations
made by OFCOM.

(11) After receiving the report under subsection (6), the Secretary of State must
determine what action (if any) the Secretary of State considers ought to be
taken by OFCOM to deal with the burden.

(12) 35The Secretary of State may then direct OFCOM to take that action.

(13) A direction under subsection (12) may make provision—

(a) about the order in which specified action is to be taken, and

(b) for the taking of specified action to be contingent on the success or
otherwise of the taking of other specified action.

40In this subsection “specified” means specified in the direction.

(14) A direction under subsection (12) may not require OFCOM to make a
procurement determination at any time in the period of 10 years beginning
with the day on which this section comes into force unless the universal service
provider has agreed to the making of the determination.