Holyrood rejects plea for new laws on autism

An MSP has failed to gain support in the Scottish Parliament for new laws aimed at improving services for people with autism.

Speaking during a debate on his Autism Bill yesterday, Liberal Democrat Hugh O'Donnell said legislation was necessary to address what he claimed was a "postcode lottery" of support for sufferers.

The bill would introduce an obligation on the Scottish Government to prepare and publish an autism strategy. It would also require ministers to issue guidance to health boards and councils on implementing this.

The Holyrood committee responsible for reporting on the bill has already warned that the proposals could fail to make "meaningful differences" for those with the condition.

Mr O'Donnell called for MSPs to allow the bill to be progressed further, or for the Scottish Government to adopt it and make any necessary amendments.

He said: "The intention from the outset was to provide a level framework for the 50,000-plus people in this country with autism. To give them the same opportunities to access appropriate support, education and employment as every other citizen in our country."

MSPs praised Mr O'Donnell for bringing attention to what was described across the chamber as an important issue.

However they went on to say they could not support the bill.

In September, public health minister Shona Robison launched a consultation on developing an autism strategy for Scotland.

And members of Holyrood's education, lifelong learning and culture committee said last month they were "not convinced" the government strategy would be improved by Mr O'Donnell's bill.

The MSPs said that while the bill placed an obligation on the Scottish Government to publish an autism strategy, it did not detail what such a strategy should include.