asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the public inquiry into the circumstances following the death of Paul Brown will be established; who will chair the inquiry; and when he expects the inquiry to begin work.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral (Mr. Hunt) on 7 December.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is taking steps to ensure that all the local authority's documents on Paul Brown are in safe keeping while awaiting the start of the public inquiry into the circumstances following the death of Paul Brown.

I am advised that my right hon. Friend has no powers to do this.