National Insurance Contributions Bill

moved Amendment No. 8:"Page 3, leave out lines 32 to 38." The noble Baroness said: In moving Amendment No. 8 to Clause 1, I speak also to the other amendments with which it is grouped, which would make similar provisions in relation to Clauses 2, 3 and 4. We are accustomed to regulation-making powers that are widely drawn but it is incumbent on us not to be bludgeoned into not questioning them simply because they appear with regularity. New Section 4C of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, which is inserted by Clause 1, creates a regulation-making power that deals with consequential changes. New Section 4C(3) states that the regulations can amend,"““any provision of any enactment (including this Act and any enactment passed or made on or after the commencement day)””." It is a classic Henry VIII power. The regulations are subject to the affirmative procedure but, as we know, that procedure falls well short of primary legislation as regards parliamentary scrutiny. Amendment No. 8 would delete subsection (3) of new Section 4C on a probing basis. I invite the Minister to say precisely why the Government need this power, in what circumstances they expect to use it and why it is appropriate to take powers to alter Acts, including those not yet in contemplation, by the minimalist parliamentary procedures that the affirmative procedure provides. I understand a belt-and-braces approach but the Government should be prepared to justify why they need a Henry VIII power. I beg to move.