Employment Bill [HL]

I thank the Minister for the time and trouble he has taken to respond to my question. The good news is that I have not misunderstood the legislation. I began to think that maybe it was just me and that I was going to stand up and be made to look silly. But, no, I have not misunderstood what the legislation says here. This is retrospective provision, generally considered to be something to be avoided at all costs. The idea of incurring a new or heavier punishment for an activity that at the time of occurrence did not result in such a penalty—and I am repeating this—is a breach of one of the most fundamental principles of law. Once the Government have started down this rocky road of retrospection, they will find themselves in the most terrible difficulties in the days ahead. I can see now why the noble Lord, Lord Jones of Birmingham, was not in the room when the amendment was being debated because, when director-general of the CBI, retrospection certainly was not something he would have voted for. At the moment I have no other option but to beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 8 agreed to. Clause 9 agreed to. Clause 10 [Powers of officers to take copies of records]: On Question, Whether Clause 10 shall stand part of the Bill?