I’m pleased to make a brief contribution in this debate today. I was grateful to the National Autistic Society Cymru for meeting with me after the last time we discussed this. Their passion and also their palpable frustration on behalf of the families they support was really powerful and made a very big impression on me. I am also aware from my own casework of the battles that families often face to get a diagnosis and then to ensure that the support they need is in place. It is on that basis that I will be voting for this Bill to proceed today.

I do, as Paul knows, have reservations about the approach of legislating for a particular condition, as I believe that legislation like the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the ALN Bill that’s currently going through the Assembly should, if they are working correctly, deliver for all our citizens on the basis of need. I think we do need to consider as well the implications of such a precedent going forward, as services for people with autism is not the only area where there is an urgent need for service improvement, in my view. I also think that if this goes forward it is essential that we fully consider any unintended consequences of legislating on a particular condition, and that we explore any risk that such legislation may impact on our ability to respond to others on the basis of need, and I am thinking in particular here of other children who need prompt access to CAMHS.

However, I do think that this Bill is very worthy of further consideration and I hope that, if it proceeds today, it will provide a major impetus for service improvements in this area. I welcome the constructive approach taken by Paul Davies and his opening remarks, and also the positive comments of the Minister, who I know has a particular commitment to deliver in this area. What we all want is to ensure that families get the support that they need, and I hope that, if this Bill proceeds today, it will be a major step forward in that direction. Thank you.