Lords amendment: No. 6, in page 18, line 12, leave out ("The Secretary of State") and insert ("If the Secretary of State considers it necessary to do so for the preservation of the peace or the maintenance of order he").

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Clause 25 empowers the Secretary of State to direct the closure or diversion of roads, and makes it an offence to interfere with works carried out in connection with such a closure. The amendment is intended to provide a certain safeguard on the exercise of those powers. It would enable the scope of the Secretary of State's power to be stated more explicitly, limiting it to occasions when he considers it necessary for the preservation of the peace or the maintenance of order. I hope that the House will accept the amendment on that basis.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords amendments agreed to.