Autism Bill

I start by putting it on the record that I was wrong on Second Reading not to wish the Bill to go into Committee. I felt at that time that the strategy and process announced by the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Phil Hope) was correct—that we should just get on with it and move towards delivery as soon as possible. However, much water has passed under the bridge since 27 February, when the Bill had its lively, very knowledgeable and somewhat tetchy debate on Second Reading. The crux of the tetchiness was the point I have just made—about deciding the right way forward to achieve our common aims. Between then and 13 May, massive consensus broke out, and what we have before us now goes a very long way to meeting all our sincerest wishes. The Bill now goes further and is better than the original. I hugely congratulate the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan). As my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Mrs. Dean), chair of the all-party group said, we would not be here or have come so far, had the hon. Lady not chosen to introduce a private Member's Bill on autism. Behind the scenes, my hon. Friend played a vital part in discussions in progress. She is a modest person and would blush to hear it, but I pay tribute to her.