Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29436 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

Information and Statistics Division, a division of the Common Services Agency, is currently working on an Improving Mental Health Information Programme which is addressing the monitoring of non-fatal deliberate self-harm. It is also planned that the Framework for the Reduction of Suicide and Self-harm, described in the answer to question S1W-29436 today, will include provision to ensure the collection of appropriate information on suicide and self-harm and dissemination of the results to local areas.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The Scottish Executive is preparing a Framework for the Reduction of Suicide and Self-harm, to be published later this year, and has consulted widely on the draft version. The framework will cover the risk factors related to suicide, identify groups most at risk, and highlight appropriate actions at both national and local levels.

The National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Wellbeing of the Scottish Population, established in October 2001 and overseen by a National Advisory Group, (NAG) which I chair, is developing a range of initiatives to make progress on this vital component of our health improvement agenda. The programme's main objectives include raising awareness of mental health issues, promoting positive mental health, and the effective prevention of mental health problems. It links into initiatives both within and outwith the Executive, for example in the social justice, education and employment fields, to maximise the potential for mental health gain. This broad ranging approach is reflected in the membership of the NAG, which includes health, local authority, community, business, trades union and voluntary interests. An initial focus of the work is on early years, children and young people, workplace and communities. With initial funding of £4 million, current projects include an National Anti-Stigma Campaign which will be launched in October; the Breathing Space Helpline for people with low mood and depression, especially among young men; the Framework for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm, and a public attitude survey on mental health. Other initiatives include the development of a range of public mental health indicators; the establishment of a Public Mental Health/Mental Health Improvement library of evidence and practice, and a national project to help improve the mental health and well-being of communities and to support local community effort and capacity. A magazine Well? describing the aims of the programme has been issued widely and a copy has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 24027).

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The prosecutor in Scotland already has an unrestricted right of appeal against the grant of bail to an accused person.

We are currently in the process of reviewing the powers introduced in 1996 enabling the courts to impose aggravated sentences for offences committed while the offender was on bail. This review was announced in April 2000. To inform the review two research projects were planned. The first has been completed and the second is now under way. These will inform the later stages of the review which we aim to complete by the middle of 2003. While the research is under way it would be premature to draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of the new powers and what additional measures, if any, may be required.We have also noted the proposal in the UK Government's recently published white paper Justice for All to weight the court's discretion against granting bail to a defendant who has been charged with an imprisonable offence committed while on bail for another offence. We shall follow developments relating to that particular proposal with interest.

The Care Development Group has now disbanded. It met for the last time on 2 September 2001 to finalise its report, which was published on 14 September 2001.

As indicated in the answer given to question S1W-28252 today, the Scottish Executive Education Department is arranging discussion with representatives of local authorities about the applicability in Scotland of material issued recently by the Department for Education and Skills in England to supplement their guidance on the health and safety of pupils on educational visits. This material includes reference to the appointment of outdoor education advisers to oversee and monitor school trips.

The Cryptosporidium Directions 2002 (paragraph 3(1)(a)) requires Scottish Water to monitor their raw water sources for the presence of cryptosporidium and these data are collected to provide an indication of likely challenges to the treatment plant. This monitoring is upstream of the critical control point monitoring that is undertaken on the treatment works. There is no time period specified in the regulations for the results of surface water samples to be reported. The cryptosporidum directions prescribe time periods of 72 hours and 24 hours respectively, for routine and emergency samples of treated water to be analysed and reported.