Assuming this is the decision of some tribunal or other and the proceedings are preliminary in nature (e.g. an injunction or some other form of interim relief), my suggestions are: "The answer to that question in these preliminary proceedings is yes. The reasons are set out below." Alternatively, if the proceedings are at an early stage, but are set to continue, you could try "The answer to that question at this preliminary stage in the proceedings is yes."

-> "PATENTS ACT 1977 IN THE MATTER OF ... SECOND PRELIMINARY DECISION... WhenI asked Mr Penny why the opportunity given in my preliminary decision of 21 October1997 was not taken up by the proprietor, he told me that he could not specifically answer ... Both sides have requested costs in relation to this preliminary hearing. As I indicatedat the hearing, I will take the same line as I did in my earlier preliminary decision of 21October 1997 and I will not make any award at this stage."
http://www.patent.gov.uk/patent/legal/decisions/1999/o_079_9...