Mr David Lock (Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department; Wyre Forest, Labour)

I rise briefly to respond to the point made by the hon. Member for Surrey Heath about clause 27(1)(b). He questioned what was meant by the expression that a constable who is attempting to enforce a closure order may

``do anything reasonably necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the order.''

I welcome you to the Chair, Mr. Hood, with a brief explanation that the constable is entitled to do anything which is reasonable that he considers necessary. If there is something which is reasonable that the constable considers necessary, it is plainly appropriate for him to be able to do it. I would not have thought that the Committee would greatly benefit from further discussion of the meaning of such plain, usual and much used words.

Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)

I previously said that Opposition Members regard the wording as wide. We still think that. However, the Minister has given his explanation, and I shall not seek to press the matter further.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 27 ordered to stand part of the Bill.