Autism Bill

The hon. Gentleman's track record on this subject is second to none. He referred to cases that ultimately go to court, usually to challenge the local authority. Increasingly, the pattern is that local authorities settle out of court but, owing to the stress involved, it would be helpful if we did not have to get to that point. When there is legal challenge, the courts often want to know what Parliament's intention was. If measures have not gone before Committee and are not statutory, that undermines the case put forward by people who need the protection of the courts.