HC Deb 26 July 1974 vol 877 cc2129-30

5.56 p.m.

Mr. Mulley

I beg to move a manuscript amendment, in page 11, line 7, leave out subsection (4) and insert: '(4) The power to give a traffic direction for the purposes of a traffic survey shall be so exercised as not to cause any unreasonable delay to a person who indicates that he is unwilling to furnish any information for the purposes of the survey.'

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)

I have it in the authority of Mr. Speaker to say that he has selected the amendment which has been moved.

Mr. Mulley

When we were discussing Clause 6 in Committee I gave an undertaking which was accepted by both sides to seek the advice of parliamentary draftsmen on the point which we discussed and also to discuss it with officials and police authorities. This I have done.

I have also had the benefit of discussing the matter with the hon. Members for Shipley (Mr. Fox), for Welling borough (Mr. Fry), who has been unable to stay, and for Hampstead (Mr. Finsberg). They all very graciously said that they thought that this amendment would meet the point which they had in mind. I hesitate to say so, but it is in fact a better piece of parliamentary drafting than the home-made draft which we considered in Committee.

As this is probably the last occasion today on which I shall be on my feet, perhaps I might say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, how much I appreciate the great consideration shown by you and your colleagues, the Officers of the House and all hon. Members in allowing us to deal with this important and useful legislation today. I wish to pay tribute to the very hard work that everyone has done to meet what has been a rather strict timetable, not least the officials of my Department.

Mr. Berry

Since most of my hon. Friends have departed, perhaps I may, without any unreasonable delay, thank the Minister for his help in this matter. When the Bill is published properly, we may all find it useful to cut out the subsection and have it conveniently in our cars to show, if and when the occasion arises.

We support the amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Third Reading), and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, with amendments.

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