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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to initiate an inquiry into child abuse at the Macedon Children's Home in Newtownabbey; and if he will make a statement. [190427] Angela Smith: I have no plans to initiate an inquiry into the incidents at the Macedon Children's Home. I have a great deal of sympathy for the victims in this case and recognise their bravery in coming forward to reveal details of the abuse which they suffered at the home. It is difficult to see what could be achieved in relation to the safeguarding of children by establishing an inquiry into events at Macedon, particularly given the lapse of time, the fact that the home no longer exists and the many changes to child protection arrangements which have occurred as a consequence of the Kincora Report, the legislative arrangements now in place through the Children Order and the work undertaken to ensure lessons emerging from other places have been applied in Northern Ireland. The circumstances surrounding events at this home have, moreover, been investigated by PSNI. In addition to the recent convictions obtained in respect of two former staff, I am also conscious that police inquiries are still on-going in respect of other former staff employed at Macedon.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c675W; 190427

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Children Children in care Care homes Abuse Inquiries Northern Ireland Newtownabbey

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk