Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress she has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to implement the recommendations of the Hart report into historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

As I recently wrote to the honourable Member, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is determined to do everything in her power to ensure that the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse get the redress they deserve as quickly as possible. That is why she asked the Northern Ireland political parties to consider the outstanding key issues identified by David Sterling, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and is pleased the parties have reached a consensus on these.

The Executive Office is now working with the Office of Legislative Council to redraft the legislation in light of the parties’ recommendations, which deviate significantly from Sir Anthony Hart's recommendations. The Secretary of State continues to engage with David Sterling and colleagues in Westminster on this vital issue.