Section 48
Directions by Minister
(1)
The Minister may, after consultation with the Authority or any postal licensee, give to the Authority or that licensee such directions as the
Minister thinks fit as to the exercise by the Authority or that licensee of its functions under this Act.
(2)
Without prejudice to subsection (1), if it appears to the Minister to be requisite or expedient to do so —
(a)
on the occurrence of any public emergency, in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence or relations with the government of another country; or
(b)
in order —
(i)
to discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government by virtue of its being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement;
(ii)
to attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object, the attainment of which in the opinion of the Minister is requisite or expedient in view of the Government being
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a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement; or
(iii)
to enable the Government to become a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement, the Minister may, after consultation with the Authority or any postal licensee, give such directions to the Authority or that licensee as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(3)
Any direction given under subsection (1) or (2) may include provisions for —
(a)
the interception or detention of any postal article in the course of transmission by post; and
(b)
the postal article to be delivered to any officer mentioned in the direction to be dealt with in such manner as the Minister may direct.
(4)
The Authority and any postal licensee shall give effect to any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2) notwithstanding any other duty imposed on the Authority or that licensee by or under this Act.
(5)
The Authority and any postal licensee shall not disclose any direction given to that person under subsection (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies that person that the Minister is of the opinion that the disclosure of the direction is against the public interest.
(6)
The Minister may make grants to postal licensees for defraying or contributing towards any loss which they may sustain by reason of their compliance with the directions of the Minister under any provision of this section.
(7)
If any doubt arises as to the existence of a public emergency or as to whether any act done under this section was in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence or relations with the government of another country, a certificate signed by the Minister shall be conclusive evidence of the matters stated therein.
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