Methods and apparatus for processing error control messages, such as RLC ARQ control messages, are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises signaling a medium access controller (MAC) that link resources are needed for transmitting data, receiving an indication from the MAC that link resources for transmitting the data are scheduled, and generating an error control message after receiving said indication, based on a current error control status. The error control message is then forwarded to the MAC for transmission. Because the generation of an error control message is delayed until resources for its transmission are scheduled, the queuing of stale control messages is avoided.