Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Heath and Social Care and (b) Northern Ireland Executive on access to a UK-wide compensation scheme for victims of fetal valproate syndrome in Northern Ireland.

I have not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health or the Northern Ireland Executive regarding access to a UK-wide compensation scheme for victims of fetal valproate syndrome in Northern Ireland. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Health confirmed on 12 November that the Government will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity, and is engaging with devolved Governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive.