---

National Insurance Contributions Bill

That is very helpful. I will make sure that my colleagues in another place realise that. This morning they had not done so, but perhaps they had not caught up with the small print of the Chancellor’s evidence to the Treasury Select Committee in another place last week. The Minister has pointed out the issue of weekly versus annual, which I accept. Getting around it is not insuperable in drafting terms. I also accept the no de minimis limit; that is much the same point and is also easy to get around, as is Northern Ireland. The technical objections to the amendment can easily be got right between now and Report if we choose. The Minister is basically saying that the Government want to do what they want to do at any time with as little interference as possible, and in the mean time they wish to create as much power as possible under the Bill. We think the Bill goes too far, and we have to consider between now and Report how far we allow them to go with it. The Minister should not think that he has convinced me one jot with his arguments. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 2 agreed to. Clause 3 [Additional pension: upper accrual point to replace upper earnings limit from 2009-10]: On Question, Whether Clause 3 shall stand part of the Bill?