A new Westminster sub-committee is to investigate housing in Northern Ireland.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Mr Michael Mates MP said: "As long as the [Northern Ireland] Assembly remains suspended, oversight of Northern Ireland issues must continue and we believe the best way of doing this is through a dedicated sub-committee."
Mr Tony Clarke MP will chair the new body and all members of the full committee will be eligible to take part in inquiries.
The inquiry into housing, under chairman Mr Tony Clarke MP, will begin when the sub-committee begins its work next month, and its terms of reference will be published shortly.
Mr Clarke said he hoped the inquiry would act as a litmus test of how the relevant agencies were responding to meet housing needs in the North.
"At a time when the Northern Ireland economy is continuing to improve, it is vital that the housing market is able to match the aspirations of all those living in Northern Ireland," he added.
PA