---

Autism Bill

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's support. I am also grateful for the support of my Front-Bench team, including the shadow Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley). I have sought—and I still seek—not to be at all political in the Bill. That has been quite outwith my thoughts. I have been delighted, as the Minister will know, by the cross-party support that the Bill has received. I am very touched that I have commanded the presence of the Front-Bench team here this morning, although, of course, it is not me but the issue of autism that is so important. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien), the shadow Minister, for his intervention.