§ The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.
§ The Government have received and welcomed the second report from the Justice Oversight Commissioner, Lord Clyde, on the progress achieved in implementing the recommendations of the review of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. Consistent with his terms of reference, the report was submitted to the Attorney-General, Lord Filkin, the Minister for the Northern Ireland Court Service, and me in June.
§ Lord Clyde concludes that in the period of this report good progress continues to be made in the implementation of the review's recommendations on a number of fronts. While a few delays in progress have been noted, he believes that for the most part the momentum has been maintained and important initiatives have been pursued with vigour. He comments that there is now visible evidence which demonstrates the progress which is being made and provides promise of the eventual implementation of the changes recommended in the criminal justice review. The Government warmly endorse these conclusions.
§ Copies of the commissioner's report have been placed in the Library.