To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the investigation being carried out by the Coroner at the request of Altnagelvin Hospital into the sudden deaths of four babies at the hospital; when the Coroner is expected to report; and if he will make a statement. (115542)

I have been asked to reply.

The Coroners Service issued a statement on 15 December concerning this matter. I have arranged for a copy of this to be placed in the Library of the House. It is not possible to give a timescale at this stage, but I have been assured that the experts involved in assisting the Senior Coroner’s investigation are conscious of the need to deal with the matter as quickly as possible.