The F4national authority may make advances towards any expenses incurred by a council in the discharge of any obligation imposed on them, by or under any provisions to which this section applies, in relation to the erection, maintenance, alteration or removal of traffic signs.

An advance by the Secretary of State under this section is to be made out of moneys provided by Parliament.

This section applies to all the provisions of this Act except sections 72, 74 and 75.

An advance under this section may be either by way of grant or by way of loan or partly in the one way and partly in the other, and shall be upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the F5national authority thinks fit.

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The power of the F6national authority under this section to make advances towards expenses incurred in relation to traffic signs shall be exercisable with respect to any expenses incurred under section 68 of this Act by an authority to whom that section applies or by a F2local traffic authority