§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of police inquiries into alleged child prostitution at an East Belfast Department of Health and Social Services home; and when he expects papers on the matter to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions;
(2) when the allegations of child prostitution at an East Belfast boys' home were known (a) to the Department of of Health and Social Services and (b) to the police;
(3) if he has carried out an investigation into the allegation of child prostitution at an East Belfast boys' home; and whether any members of staff have been dismissed or suspended from duty.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Department of Health and Social Services and the police became aware of these allegations on 24 January 1980. Police investigations are proceeding with all possible speed and 571W on completion the papers will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is not possible at this stage to give a date.
Pending the outcome of police inquiries the Government have not conducted any separate investigation. No staff have been dismissed or suspended from duty as no concrete evidence has been advanced to justify such action.