---

AMENDMENT OF THE LAW

I accept the argument about growth forecasts. Indeed, it is fair to say that the Opposition have occasionally rubbished those forecasts in years gone by, and been confounded by the outcome. However, does the hon. Gentleman not accept that some of those forecasts have been met partly because of large-scale migration, which has added to the economy’s growth? Moreover, many other Treasury forecasts, such as the overall debt forecast—and, therefore, the overall outcome of the Budget—have proved to be very optimistic. It is our contention that that pattern might well continue in respect of the overall public debt in the next three or four years.