Part of 3. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 3:27 pm on 6 July 2016.
I’m certainly happy to do that. I published last week the Government’s response to a consultation on the draft Bill. Now, if the Member doesn’t believe that we fully covered those areas, then I’d be grateful if she could write to me and I will certainly do so. But, in terms of the overall point raised, of course, by the question, I do agree absolutely that we do need to take a holistic approach to the policy and not simply an approach that determines and dictates what happens in the classroom without recognising the wider support necessary to provide a full educational experience for those children. So, if the Member or any other Members do not believe that we’ve fully covered those points in the response, then I’d be happy to do so.
I will say that the First Minister announced last week that this Bill will form a part of the first year of our legislative programme. We are looking at the moment at a timescale for that, and I will make a statement to the National Assembly as soon as possible, when we are able to understand what the timescale will be and when we’ll be able to publish the legislation. So, Members will have an opportunity then to look again at this matter.