This is an operational matter for Scottish Water. I have asked the Chief Executive to reply to you directly.

“Choose Life” the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide was launched by the Scottish Executive in December 2002. Good progress is being made in implementing the main objectives and milestones set out in the strategy. In relation to new practices and procedures, a number of areas are worth highlighting.

A national suicide prevention training strategy is being developed, the main component of this is a training programme called ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) training. There are now 90 accredited trainers across Scotland, this will rise to 150 trainers by March 2005. These trainers then cascade the training in their local areas and relevant organisationsand networks.

Progress is being made in developing partnerships with key agencies to help target suicide prevention work at particular target and high-risk groups. Such groups include the Scottish Prison Service, Samaritans and Childline. Further to this work, all 32 local authority areas now have in place a local Choose Life co-ordinator and local action plan. Work on implementing these action plans has now begun.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) already provides technicaladvice to local authorities in connection with flood prevention. It also providespractical advice to the public on flood risk and what to do before, during and after a flood via the 24 hour Floodline 0845 988 1188. SEPA will also provide information in response to public queries on flood risk areas and properties, and has published a booklet giving details of flood alleviation products. This information is also available via the SEPA website www.sepa.org.uk.

There should be no additional costs incurred by utility companies operating within the provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Bill and therefore there should be no impact on fuel poverty.

The Executive recognises the misery and distress flooding can bring and has, therefore, ensured that local authorities have the powers and resources necessary to reduce flood risk and to address flood prevention. It is also local authorities that lead on practical recovery measures, co-ordinating the work of local agencies, local responders being best placed to address and decide upon local priorities.

The road works provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Bill are intended to improve the planning, co-ordination and execution of utility company road works in Scotland. The Scottish Road Works Commissioner will monitor the effectiveness of the new arrangements and the Executive will continue to liaise closely with the Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee Scotland (RAUC(S)) on all related matters.

Provisions in the Transport (Scotland) Bill should benefit utility companies’ investment programmes by improving the planning and co-ordination of road works.

There should be no additional cost to utility companies if they work within the legislative framework.

The provisions within the Transport (Scotland) Bill are intended to improve the quality and co-ordination of utilities road works. There will be no direct impact on urban regeneration.

The table below gives estimates of the number of patients newly diagnosed with asthma by GPs in the five years from 1999 to 2003, the last year for which figures are available. These are derived from information collected under NHS National Services Information and Statistics Division’s Continuous Morbidity Recording system and are based on the activity of sample GP practices. 

Year	Estimated Number of Patients
1999	36,500
2000	34,600
2001	29,000
2002	29,700
2003	26,600