The Committee consisted of the following Members:

Chairman: † Mr. Roger Gale

† Bacon, Mr. Richard (South Norfolk) (Con)

† Blackman, Liz (Erewash) (Lab)

† Boswell, Mr. Tim (Daventry) (Con)

† Brooke, Annette (Mid-Dorset and North Poole) (LD)

† Brown, Mr. Russell (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab)

† Browning, Angela (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con)

† Clarke, Mr. Tom (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)

† Dean, Mrs. Janet (Burton) (Lab)

† Gidley, Sandra (Romsey) (LD)

† Gillan, Mrs. Cheryl (Chesham and Amersham) (Con)

† Hope, Phil (Minister of State, Department of Health)

† Humble, Mrs. Joan (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood) (Lab)

† Ladyman, Dr. Stephen (South Thanet) (Lab)

† McCarthy-Fry, Sarah (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families)

† McDonnell, John (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)

† Milton, Anne (Guildford) (Con)

Chris Shaw, Committee Clerk

† attended the Committee

Column number: 19

Public Bill Committee

Wednesday 6 May 2009

[Mr. Roger Gale in the Chair]

Autism Bill

2.30 pm

The Chairman: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Before we proceed, it is my duty to inform the Committee that on the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Tuesday 5 May 2009 the money resolution was approved, and therefore all matters pertaining to the Bill are now debatable.

Mrs. Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Gale. I beg to move,

That further consideration of the Bill be now adjourned for a second time.

I feel that I should explain to you and the Committee, Mr. Gale, my reason for proposing the motion. We have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is

Column number: 20

that I again ask the Committee’s permission to adjourn, but the good news is that both Ministers sitting opposite me are currently in negotiations with me and others to see whether we can come up with a form of legislation that the Government feel able to accept. They have indicated to me—the Health Minister is nodding—that they are willing to consider putting a Bill of this nature through to become an Act, provided that we can reach some agreement.

The Bill is of great importance to a large number of people and their families throughout the country, and I am very grateful for cross-party support, and to everyone on the Committee for turning out today. I hope that they will bear with us, because I hope to bring back, with the assistance of Ministers, something that we can all discuss again and that the Government may feel able to accept. That is possibly a worthwhile route to chart for the Bill, so I ask for further consideration to be adjourned until next Wednesday.

The Chairman: I am prepared to accept the hon. Lady’s motion.

Question put and agreed to.

2.31 pm

Adjourned till Wednesday 13 May at half-past Two o’clock.

 

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Prepared 7 May 2009