New Clause 1

Part of Autism Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:15 pm on 13 May 2009.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Stephen Ladyman Stephen Ladyman Labour, South Thanet 4:15, 13 May 2009

My amendments were only ever intended to be probing. I never expected the Minister to put the definition in the Bill. Governments never do that, whether it is a good or a bad idea. However, I want the definition to be included in the guidance and be part of the process of review, so that there is clear guidance for the people who make decisions about whether a person is on the spectrum of disorders. I particularly want the Minister to use the words and state that it is his intention that the Bill will include people who are symptomatically autistic rather than what a future scientist might define as autistic.