In 1966 the UK Government commenced planning to convert the General Post Office into a public corporation, and as part of this process offered each of the Crown Dependencies the opportunity to assume control of the operations of the GPO on their territories.

On 18 October 1968, Tynwald decided that they did not wish to take up the offer, but provision was made in the Post Office Act 1969 nonetheless.

In 1972, following negotiations by Tynwald with the GPO to leave the Island's telephone system, it was agreed that the Isle of Man would, after all, take over control of the insular postal administration.

The monies paid for the assets of the Post Office, £148,624, were recouped within the first year from the surpluses generated by the Authority.

[3] The Isle of Man Post Office is a member of the Small European Postal Administration Cooperation.