To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the report of the inquest held on the deaths in the fire at the Royal Irish Regiment base in Magherafelt; and if he will make a statement. [12151]

The coroner sent his report to the chief fire officer at headquarters Northern Ireland on 22 January 1996. Many of the matters he raises match those identified in the provisional findings of the Army board of inquiry and are already being addressed. We are anxious that any lessons from this tragic incident are fully carried through. The coroner's observations and recommendations will he closely studied and the appropriate action taken.