Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff in his Department are working in the secretariat for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

As set out at the time of the announcement that Sir Declan Morgan had been identified as Chief Commissioner-designate of the ICRIR, and in line with the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Guidance, a dedicated secretariat, supporting the preparatory work being undertaken by Sir Declan, has been established as a separate business unit of the Northern Ireland Office. It has a separate budget and staffing and does not report to Northern Ireland Office Ministers. At present the secretariat is made up of 19 staff members.