asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to have further talks with the political parties in Northern Ireland.

I wrote to the leaders of the four main parties in Northern Ireland on 16 January 1979. My letter, the text of which was published in the Official Report for 22 January, reviewed the talks held last year and set out the basis on which I believe that political progress can be made. I hope to have further meetings with all the main parties before very long.