Disappointing start for Legislative Competence Orders - Burnham Comments.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, today challenged the Labour/Plaid government on their disappointing changes to the recommendations on the historic first Legislative Competence Order laid before the Welsh Assembly. Both the LCO committee and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists are dismayed that the government has decided not to include the word "communication" in an important piece of legislation for people with additional learning needs.

Ms Burnham, who chaired the Assembly's LCO committee - the first of its kind - said:

"It's very regrettable that the government has not included the crucial word "communication" in the first ever LCO. This sets an unfortunate precedent for the government to disregard the hard work of the committee and expert professional bodies on the issues.

"The Labour/Plaid government has missed its first real opportunity to secure the necessary improvements in applying regulations sorely needed by many people with additional learning needs presently ignored within service provision."

"I am very much in favour of the LCO being laid before the Assembly today. It is an event of historic importance. This LCO will create an opportunity for the Welsh Assembly to bring forwards Measures aimed at improving the current statutory framework for Special Education Needs and the learning experience of those with additional needs."

Ends/Diwedd