Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on what date the election to the Northern Ireland Assembly will be held.

Following the expiry of the period for the formation of an Executive, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland came under a duty to call an election in the twelve weeks from 28 October. The Secretary of State announced in Parliament on 9 November that he will introduce legislation to provide a short, straightforward extension to the period for Executive formation - extending the current period by 6 weeks to 8 December, with the potential of a further six-week extension to 19 January if necessary.

I urge the Parties to use the time available to come together and restore government, in the interests of all people in Northern Ireland.