National Insurance Contributions Bill

That line is not retrospective—it must be the only provision in the Bill that is not. I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on finding the one line of the Bill that is not retrospective, but that does not exonerate the Government from any guilt about, or blame for, the way in which they are trying to give themselves the broadest possible powers to do almost anything that they want at any time. Regarding that provision, I concede to the hon. Gentleman that the Government may use such powers only after the commencement day, but I am not sure that that gives me much comfort.