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Crohn''s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is currently funding three projects relating to IBD at a total cost of £492,000. The Scottish Government is not, however, currently funding research looking specifically at the incidence of Crohn''s disease.

The Register of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, based at the Institute of Child Health within the University of Liverpool, aims is to establish incidence figures and trends for all patients under the age of 16 who are newly diagnosed with IBD from 47 selected centres in Scotland, England and Wales. One of the aims of the register is to promote research projects.

The Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland collects data on Crohn''s disease relating to the number of people who are discharged from hospital with a diagnosis of Crohn''s disease. As these data do not include people with the condition who are being managed outwith hospital, they cannot shed light on any trends in its incidence.

ISD is developing a Long Term Conditions Information Programme which will underpin a systematic approach to the management in Scotland of conditions such as Crohn''s disease.

Under the new rural priorities element of the Scotland rural development programme it is possible for farmers and other land managers to apply for funding to carry out activities contributing to flood management. However, at the first assessment round no proposals were approved which address this specific outcome.

The likely savings arising from the contract will reflect the Scottish public sector working collaboratively within the framework of the procurement reform agenda. The estimated £5 million savings per annum will therefore be a direct result of combining public sector demand.

We will introduce a bill to establish a framework within which local authorities can involve stakeholders, including farmers, in managing flood risk.

Under the new rural priorities element of the Scotland rural development programme it is possible for farmers and other land managers to apply for funding to carry out activities contributing to flood management. However, at the first assessment round no proposals were approved which address this specific outcome.

The Scottish Government encourages the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water to work cooperatively with others involved in flood management. We intend to introduce a bill which seeks to establish a framework of duties to ensure that flood management planning is coordinated across a catchment.

Market participants were requested to provide information on a number of issues. The list was in no specific order.

Market indicators have suggested that the demand for renewable electricity has significantly increased as both public and private sector organisations have sought to demonstrate green credentials. This has resulted in supplies of renewable electricity being constrained in the market place both in terms of total availability and the quantities available from individual suppliers. The request for information process therefore sought information from the market on availability of renewable electricity to inform the strategy for the national electricity contract for the Scottish public sector.

It has been estimated that the impact of renewable premiums on the electricity contract currently out to tender could be as high as 10%. Renewable premiums are subject to the balance of supply and demand at any particular time and the position will only become clear when tender responses are received.