To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the submission by Joe Rice, a solicitor acting on behalf of persons who when children were victims of abuse in Church and state institutions in Northern Ireland requesting that an inquiry be held on the same lines as that recently conducted in the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement. (308062)

Officials replied to Mr. Rice explaining that the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety had written to me about the implications for Northern Ireland of the Ryan Commission report and that I was currently considering the letter and would reply to the Minister in due course.

I have now done so.