Post Office

ROYAL MAIL GROUP PLC

Royal Mail Group plc Scheme OL10/2003

[This note is not part of the Scheme]

Note: The Scheme which follows this note has been made under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 and amends the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001. The Scheme, which comes into operation on 9th October 2003 abolishes the Swiftair and Swiftpack services and introduces International Signed For packs. In addition, the Scheme increases the fee for Airsure packs and International Signed For packets, includes editorial changes to the list of countries in Air Mail Postage Rates Zones and amends the conditions relating to mail sent to members of HM Forces.

ROYAL MAIL GROUP PLC OVERSEAS LETTER POST (AMENDMENT No.8) SCHEME 2003

Made 25 th September 2003.

Coming into operation 9 th October 2003.

Royal Mail Group plc(a) by virtue of the powers conferred upon it by section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby makes the following Scheme:

Commencement, citation and interpretation

1.	(1)	This Scheme shall come into operation on 9th October 2003 and may be cited as the Royal Mail Group plc Company Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.8) Scheme 2003.
	(2)	This Scheme shall be read as one with the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001(b) (hereinafter called “the Scheme”), as amended by the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.1) Scheme 2001(c), the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.2) Scheme 2001(d), the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.3) Scheme 2001(e), the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.4) Scheme 2002 (f), the Consignia plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.5) Scheme 2002 (g), the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.6) Scheme 2003 (h)., and the Royal Mail Group plc Overseas Letter Post Amendment (No.7) Scheme 2003 (i).
2.		A reference in the Scheme to the Successor Postal Services Company shall be read as a reference to Royal Mail Group plc.

Arrangement of paragraphs

3.		The title of paragraph 30 shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs – fees and compensation levels.”
	(1)	The title of paragraph 32A shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“Sending Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs.”
	(2)	The title of paragraph 34 shall be deleted and the following substituted
	“Compensation for Special Delivery packets for transmission through a British Forces Post Office or sent to a British Forces Post Office numbered address or a US Army Post Office address through an ordinary post office”
	(3)	The title of paragraph 35 shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“Compulsory use of Airsure and International Signed For on outgoing items and Special Delivery for incoming items”
	(4)	The title of paragraph 37A shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“Compensation for Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs.”
	(5)	The title of Schedule 7 shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs – fees and compensation levels”

Interpretation

4.		In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 of the Scheme, the following definition shall be added following the definition of “International Signed For packet”
	“International Signed For pack means a prepaid outgoing postal packet consisting of a specially designated plastic envelope provided by the Post Office, use of which indicates the desire of the sender that the packet should receive accelerated treatment within the United Kingdom and the destination country and that the packet shall be signed for by the recipient in the destination country”
5.		In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 of the Scheme, the definitions “Swiftair packet” and “Swiftair pack” shall be deleted.

Mail to HM Forces and Royal Navy Ships

6.		In sub-paragraph (1)(ii) of paragraph 6 of the Scheme, the phrase “or a US Army Post Office” shall be inserted following the words “foreign country”.
7.		In sub-paragraph (2)(ii) of paragraph 6 of the Scheme, the phrase “or a US Army Post Office” shall be inserted following the words “foreign country”.

Prohibitions

8.

In sub-paragraph (4) of paragraph 11 of the Scheme, the phrase “, a Swiftair letter or small packet or a Swiftair pack” shall be deleted and substituted by “or an International Signed For pack”.

Unpaid or underpaid postage

9	(1)	In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the phrase “ a Swiftair packet or Swiftair pack” shall be deleted and substituted by “an International Signed For pack”.
	(2)	In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the phrase “unless it is dealt with and forwarded in the manner provided in sub-paragraph (2),” shall be deleted.
	(3)	Sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme shall be deleted.
	(4)	Sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme shall be renumbered sub-paragraph (2) and sub-paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) shall be renumbered (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) respectively.
	(5)	In new sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the phrase “sub-paragraph (2)” shall be deleted and substituted by “ sub-paragraph (1)”.
	(6)	In new sub-paragraph (3)(a) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the amount of “50p” shall be deleted and substituted by “£1.00”.
	(7)	(i) In new sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the amounts of “50p” shall be deleted where they both occur and substituted by “£1.00”.
		(ii) In new sub-paragraph (5) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the phrase “sub-paragraph (4) or (5)” shall be deleted and substituted by “sub-paragraph (3) or (4)”.
		(iii) In new sub-paragraph (6) of paragraph 17 of the Scheme, the phrase “sub-paragraph (4) or (5)” shall be deleted and substituted by “ sub-paragraph (3) or (4)”.

Late posted packets

10. (1)	In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 29 of the Scheme, the phrase “, a Swiftair packet or Swiftair pack” shall be deleted and substituted by “or an International Signed For pack”.
	(2)	In sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 29 of the Scheme, the phrase “, a Swiftair packet or Swiftair pack” shall be deleted and substituted by “or an International Signed For pack”.

Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs – fees and compensation levels

11.		Paragraph 30 of the Scheme shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“30.–(1) Upon every Airsure packet, there shall be charged and paid the fees specified in Part 1 of Schedule 7 to obtain compensation up to the levels set out in that Part of the Schedule, in addition to postage and any other fees charged and payable thereon.
	(2) Upon every Airsure pack, there shall be charged and paid the fees specified in Part 2 of Schedule 7 to obtain compensation up to the levels set out in that Part of the Schedule, in addition to postage and any other fees charged and payable thereon.
	(3) Upon every International Signed For packet, there shall be charged and paid the fees specified in Part 3 of Schedule 7 to obtain compensation up to the levels set out in that Part of the Schedule, in addition to postage and any other fees charged and payable thereon.
	(4) Upon every International Signed For pack sent to a destination in Europe, there shall be charged and paid the fees specified in Part 4 of Schedule 7 to obtain compensation up to the levels set out in that Part of the Schedule, in addition to postage and any other fees charged and payable thereon.”
	(5) Upon every International Signed For pack sent to a destination outside Europe, there shall be charged and paid the fees specified in Part 5 of Schedule 7 to obtain compensation up to the levels set out in that Part of the Schedule, in addition to postage and any other fees charged and payable thereon.”

Sending Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs

12.		Paragraph 32A of the Scheme shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“32A. – (1) Subject to the provisions of this Scheme, any outgoing postal packet other than for transmission through a British Forces post office or a US Army Post Office may be sent as an Airsure packet, an Airsure pack, an International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack, depending on the service available for such packets to particular destinations which the Post Office may from time to time determine.
	(2) The following rules apply when sending the packets and packs mentioned in sub-paragraph (1):
(a)	The packet or pack shall not be addressed to an addressee identified by initials only, or addressed by means of a pencil.
(b)	Packets or packs containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, securities or instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles may not be sent as printed packets and:
(i)	The sender or an officer of the Post Office shall mark on the label affixed to the packet or incorporated into the pack, the amount for which the packet or pack is to be insured which amount shall not exceed whichever shall be the lower of the following limits:
(ii)	The real value of the packet or pack with its contents or:
(iii)	The sum of £250 or £500 depending on the amount of compensation payable which the Post Office may from time to time determine for such packets or packs to particular destinations
(c)	The packet or pack shall be posted by being delivered to an officer of the Post Office on duty at a post office or delivered to an officer of the Post Office authorised to receive such packets or packs though not on duty at a post office.
(d)	There shall be charged and paid for the items mentioned in sub-paragraph 1 the appropriate fees specified in Schedule 7.
(d)	On the posting of the packet or pack, the Post Office shall provide the sender the portion of the appropriate service label, bearing a certificate of posting in acknowledgement that the item has been posted.

Compensation for Special Delivery packets for transmission through a British Forces Post Office or sent to a British Forces Post Office numbered address or a US Army Post Office address through an ordinary post office

13	(1)	In sub-paragraphs (1)(a), (1)(b), and (2) of paragraph 34 of the Scheme, the phrase “or a US Army Post Office address” shall be inserted following the phrase “British Forces Post Office address”.
	(2)	In sub-paragraph (2)(a) of paragraph 34 of the Scheme, the phrase “or US Army Post Office addresses” shall be inserted following the phrase “ British Forces Post Office numbered addresses”.

Compulsory use of Airsure and International Signed For on outgoing items and Special Delivery for incoming items

14.		Sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 35 of the Scheme shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“(1)	An outgoing postal packet containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, securities or instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles which is found in the post not having been sent as an Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or International Signed For pack, shall not be forwarded but returned to the sender so that it may be sent again as an Airsure packet, Airsure pack, International Signed For packet or International Signed For pack.”

Compensation for Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs

15.	(1)	In sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of paragraph 37A of the Scheme, the phrase “a Swiftair packet, a Swiftair pack and ” shall be deleted wherever they occur.
	(2)	In sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of paragraph 37A of the Scheme, the phrase “or an International Signed For pack” shall be inserted following the phrase “International Signed For packet”.
	(3)	In sub-paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of paragraph 37A of the Scheme, the phrase “Swiftair packet, Swiftair pack or” shall be deleted.
	(4)	In sub-paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of paragraph 37A of the Scheme, the phrase “or an International Signed For pack” shall be inserted following the phrase “International Signed For packet”.

Compensation for certain other postal packets

16. (1)	In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 38 of the Scheme, the phrase “Swiftair packet, Swiftair pack or” shall be deleted”.
	(2)	In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 38 of the Scheme, the phrase “, International Signed For pack” shall be inserted following the words “ International Signed For packet”.
	(3)	In sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 38 of the Scheme, the amount of “£28” shall be deleted and substituted by “£30”.

Advice of delivery, enquiries and claims for compensation

17. (1)	In sub-paragraph (1) and (2) of paragraph 39 of the Scheme, the phrase “a Swiftair packet, Swiftair pack or International Signed For packet or ” shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“an International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack”.
	(2)	“Swiftair packet, Swiftair pack or International Signed For packet” shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“International Signed For packet or an International Signed For pack”.

Postal packets posted on ships or by Forces abroad

18.		In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 43 of the Scheme, the phrase “Swiftair packets, Swiftair packs or International Signed For packets” shall be deleted and the following substituted:
	“International Signed For packets or International Signed For packs”

Schedule 4

19. (1)	In Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Scheme, the country entry for “Tibet” shall be deleted.
	(2)	In Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the Scheme, the country entry for “China (People’s Rep)” shall be deleted and substituted by “China (People’s Rep) – including Tibet”.

Schedule 7

20.

Schedule 7 to the Scheme shall be deleted and the following substituted:

Airsure packets, Airsure packs, International Signed For packets and International Signed For packs – fees and compensation levels

Part 1	Airsure packets (available to destinations determined from time to time by the Post Office)
Fee:	£4.00, inclusive of compensation not exceeding £30
Fee for additional	£1.00, for compensation not exceeding £500
compensation:
Part 2	Airsure packs, C4 size prepaid up to 300g (available to destinations determined from time to time by the Post Office)
Fee:	£6.99, inclusive of compensation not exceeding £30
Fee for additional	£1.00, for compensation not exceeding £500
compensation:
Part 3	International Signed For packets (available to destinations determined from time to time by the Post Office)
Fee:	£3.30, inclusive of compensation not exceeding £30
Fee for additional	£1.00, for compensation not exceeding £250
compensation:	or not exceeding £500, depending on destination.
Part 4	International Signed For packs, C4 size prepaid up to 300g to European destinations (available to European destinations determined from time to time by the Post Office)
Fee:	£5.49, inclusive of compensation not exceeding £30
Fee for additional	£1.00, for compensation not exceeding £250
compensation:	or not exceeding £500, depending on destination.
Part 5	International Signed For packs, C4 size prepaid up to 300g to destinations outside Europe (available to destinations outside Europe determined from time to time by the Post Office)
	£6.49, inclusive of compensation not exceeding £30
	£1.00, for compensation not exceeding £250 or not exceeding £500, depending on destination.”

Signed on behalf of Royal Mail Group plc by R L Trundell

(a person authorised by Royal Mail Group plc to act in that behalf)

25th September 2003

( Footnotes )

(a)	Royal Mail Group plc (a company registered in England and Wales under number 4138203) is a universal service provider as defined in section 4(3)(a) of the Postal Services Act 2000. Royal Mail Group plc is the successor postal services Company referred to in article 40 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No.4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2001 (2001/1148 (C.37)). It has changed its name from Consignia plc on 4th November 2002.
(b)	The Post Office Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001 was amended, renamed the Successor Postal Services Company Overseas Letter Post Scheme 2001 and treated as made under section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 by article 40 of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No.4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2001 (2001/1148 (C.37)).
(c)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 29th June 2001.
(d)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 17th August 2001.
(e)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 14th December 2001.
(f)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 28th June 2002.
(g)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 25th October 2002.
(h)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 11th April 2003.
(i)	Published in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 2nd May 2003.