4.—Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) in subsection (1)(b)—

(i) by inserting the following subparagraph after subparagraph (i):

“ (ia) to inquire into the manner in which children were placed in, and the circumstances in which they continued to be resident in, institutions during the relevant period,”,

and

(ii) by deleting, in subparagraph (ii), “where it is satisfied that such abuse has occurred,”,

and

(b) by substituting the following subsection for subsection (6):

“(6) In performing its functions the Commission shall bear in mind the need of persons who have suffered abuse in childhood to recount to others such abuse, their difficulties in so doing and the potential beneficial effect on them of so doing and, accordingly, the Commission and the Confidential Committee shall endeavour to ensure that meetings of the Confidential Committee at which evidence is being given are conducted—

(a) so as to afford to persons who have suffered such abuse in institutions during the relevant period an opportunity to recount in full the abuse suffered by them in an atmosphere that is sympathetic to, and understanding of, them, and

(b) as informally as is possible in the circumstances.”.