To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards devolved government in Northern Ireland.

The broad aim of Government policy is to seek to return greater responsibility for the affairs of Northern Ireland to locally elected representatives, on a widely acceptable basis and within a wider framework of stable relationships. With that aim in mind, I am at present engaged in discussions with the four main constitutional political parties in Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland, to establish whether a basis can be found for fresh political talks.