The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, raised the issue of an inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair. At a private meeting during the first part of the Prime Minister's visit to the North yesterday, Mr Blair told Mr Hume that the British government was examining the information given to it by the Irish Government.
The meeting took place in the Seagate Technology Plant in Derry, the site of Mr Blair's first engagement during his visit to Northern Ireland.
A British army helicopter carrying the prime ministerial party landed at the Fort George camp, about two miles from the Seagate plant. The stretch of the Buncrana Road between the camp and the plant was temporarily sealed off as Mr Blair was then driven to his first engagement, where he spoke briefly to students from two local colleges, Foyle and Londonderry and St Columb's, who were on a prearranged visit to Seagate.
Local civic dignitaries as well as senior executives from Seagate then accompanied Mr Blair on a tour of the plant, after which he met the SDLP leader.
"I told him about the deep concern in this area, which he is aware of, on the Bloody Sunday situation, on the fact that the families want an inquiry," said Mr Hume.
"He is aware of all of that and he said the relevant government departments are examining the new information that the Irish Government has supplied.
"He told me that when the government departments respond, he will be responding, but he did not put a time scale on it," said Mr Hume.
Speaking to reporters about his discussion with Mr Hume, Mr Blair said calls for an independent inquiry were under consideration.
"As we have already said, that is a matter that is under consideration. The evidence that has been submitted to us is under consideration by government departments and I won't comment in advance of us making a decision on it."
Questioned about his meeting with Sinn Fein, Mr Blair said he felt it was important for him to meet everyone engaged in the talks process.
"Whenever a meeting like this is going to happen, there is going to be criticism of it, but in my view what is important is that we do try to get this talks process under way, moving forward, get a lasting political settlement in Northern Ireland so that magnificent companies like this, employing hundreds of people, can locate and settle here and build the type of prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland.
"What is important is that we emphasise yet again the basic principles: one, that it is the democratic path, the non-violent path, that must be taken by all those people who want to be part of this process and, number two, that the principle of consent is paramount in these negotiations," said Mr Blair.
Asked if he was satisfied as to Sinn Fein's political bona fides, Mr Blair said: "Well, they are in the talks process and all those people who are in the talks process signed up to the Mitchell Principles of non-violence and the democratic path is the one that has to be chosen by anyone who wants to engage in that process.
"That is what they have said and that is what we will hold them to.
"In the end it always comes back to the choice that people have. We can either go back to the old ways of fighting and violence and despair with no future for the people or we can decide that we will take risks, but we will take risks fully consistent with the principles of consent, of non-violence on the path of democracy, that we will take risks to give the young people here in Northern Ireland the type of future they need."