asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the reform of family law in Northern Ireland.

Before introducing any such legislation I consider it desirable to seek opinion from as wide a cross-section of the population as possible. I am already awaiting the views of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on certain matters of social and family law reform. A consultative document is now being prepared asking for views on a range of further topics in the family law field. I hope that this document will be available very shortly.