FAMILIES affected by autism were given a boost when Parliament agreed to pursue a bill improving the recording of information on the condition.

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller was among the supporters who helped secure a second reading for the Autism Bill in the House of Commons.

The private member’s bill, introduced by Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan, includes measures to improve information kept by local authorities on the number of children and adults with autism, improve support for those moving from child to adult services and provide more help for adults with the condition.

Mrs Miller said: “Opposition from the Government was eclipsed by the strength of feeling amongst MPs about the inequality experienced by many under the present system.”

She said the new requirements in the bill, which would be the country’s first autism legislation if passed, would not require councils to take on new staff because the demands of the legislation can be met by existing capacity.

The bill was drafted with the help of the National Autistic Society and was supported by 13 other autism charities, including the Hampshire Autistic Society.