The Cardiff North AM is the first Assembly Member to succeed in receiving approval in principle from the UK and Welsh Assembly Government for a non-government Legislative Competence Order.

If the Order is finally approved by the Assembly and Parliament it has the chance of completing its process by March 2010, which means that competence to legislate will be given to the Assembly.

The draft legislation was formally laid in the Assembly today ahead of a debate and vote by AMs next Wednesday.

Jonathan said: “Devolving powers to Wales over mental health has become something of a personal crusade.

“I have never quite understood why physical health became part of the devolved legislative remit without mental health.

“I suspect it happened this way partly because of the links between mental health and the power of the state to detain patients.

“If this legislation passes and it all works out then Wales has the chance to lead the way in mental health services reform.

“Very often our debates have been around the need for Wales to catch up with the rest of the UK and certainly services here do need to change.

“There may well be a golden opportunity to lead the rest of the UK in reforming this important service, demonstrating how devolution is not about doing things differently for the sake of it, but doing it better.”