LONDON, UK:  A group of Members of Parliament put forward an Early Day Motion in Westminster on May 14 noting "the pioneering work being undertaken throughout Wales by Autism Cymru" and commending "their strategic endeavours over the past two years in acting as a catalyst for the planning work being conducted by the Welsh Assembly Government to develop the world's first national strategy for autism."

The Motion pointed out that "Autism Cymru's All-Wales Education and Training Programme has provided autism training for over 1,000 practitioners and carers" and congratulated Autism Cymru on "its partnership with local authorities, especially in West Wales, in leading the development of local strategies and co-ordinated service delivery."

It said it "celebrates the launch last December of AWARES.org, the All-Wales Autism Resource website which is the world's first national web-based resource," pointing out that the site "receives over 4,500 visitors per week."

The motion welcomed "the ground-breaking work being developed by Autism Cymru and its partners in the voluntary sector, most notably Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn, Denbigh and the Welsh Assembly Government, which serves as a model to other countries" and looked forward to the major international conference on autism being hosted by Autism Cymru at Cardiff City Hall in May 2004.

The motion was presented by the following MPs:  Chris Ruane, Win Griffiths, Lembit Öpik, Betty Williams, Mark Tami, Chris Bryant, Paul Flynn, Albert Owen, John Smith, Llew Smith, Dr Hywel Francis, Dr Rudi Vis, Julie Morgan, Jon Owen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Kevin Brennan, Ernie Ross, Dai Havard, Alan Williams, Ian Lucas, Simon Thomas, Huw Edwards and Martin Caton.

(Source: United Kingdom Parliament, May 14, 2003)