Autism Campaign's tribute to Piara Khabra MP

(Westminster, UK) The Autism Awareness Campaign UK paid a heartfelt tribute to Piara Khabra MP who has just passed away.

Piara Khabra was the oldest member of parliament in the House of Commons in Westminster - he was 82 years of age. Mr.Khabra died after a short illness.

Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK paid a personal tribute to Piara Khabra MP for Ealing Southall. 'Piara was one of the first MPs to support the Autism Awareness Campaign. He had a heart for the socially excluded, the down trodden. He came to see me in 2001 and pledged to support the

autism campaign. I last met him in November 2006 in Westminster and he asked me how the campaign was going. We will miss him, he was a servant of the people including people with autism,' he said.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting 587,900 people in the UK. According to researchers 1 in 100 children may have autism.

Piara Khabra fully supported the Autism Awareness Campaign UK. In 2001 he sponsored an early day motion supporting 2002 as Autism Awareness Year in the UK - it was an idea initiated by Ivan and Charika Corea supported by 800 UK organisations.

Piara Khabra's early day motion tabled in the House of Commons in 2001 was supported by 153 MPs. It was one of the most successful EDM's on autism.

His early day motion stated:

AUTISM AWARENESS
Piara Khabra

'That this House backs the call of Ivan Corea to declare 2002 as Autism Awareness Year, aimed at raising the profile and the plight of autistic children across the UK; and urges local education authorities and NHS trusts to do more for autistic children, including autists from minority ethnic communities, to review and assess their educational services and specialist speech therapy services and change policies where discrimination has taken place.'

Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes to Piara Khabra.He said: "He was a tireless campaigner, particularly on the issues of international development and racial equality. He was a tremendous servant to his constituents. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

Mr.Khabra's researcher Julian Bell said he was "remarkable servant of the people".

Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron said:' He served his constituents energetically and enthusiastically for 15 years and he will be sadly missed in this House and in Ealing.'

Piara Khabra was born in Punjab, India and trained as a teacher. He became MP for Ealing Southall in 1992.