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Due to the multiplicity of tasks performed by nurses, drug workers and others working in prisons, it is not possible to be precise. Scottish Prison Service estimate that they spent about £6.5 million on drug treatment and case services in 1999-2000.

The tighter standards for lead prescribed in the EC Drinking Water Directive published in December 1998 are being transposed into Scottish legislation. The existing drinking water quality regulations set a maximum level for lead in drinking water of 50 microgrammes per litre. This level will be reduced to 25 microgrammes per litre in 2003 and then reduced further to 10 microgrammes per litre in 2013.

Failure to meet the lead standard in domestic water supplies is generally due to the presence of lead plumbing. Plumbosolvency control is already practised at many water treatment works but the water authorities have recently identified additional areas where treatment may help meet the new standards. The authorities should have additional plumbosolvency control measures in place by December 2001.

The only lead pipes owned by a water authority are lead communication pipes running between the water main in the street and the boundary of a property. The use of lead communication pipes stopped around 1960. Lead communication pipes are being replaced by water authorities as part of their mains rehabilitation programmes. If, despite the actions taken by a water authority, a domestic property fails to meet the new standard after the prescribed date, water authorities will provide consumers and property owners with advice on remedial action that they can take.

The fees for civil legal aid work were last increased in 1995.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board has raised the issue of remuneration rates for solicitors who undertake civil and criminal legal aid work. Initial discussions have taken place within the Tripartite Working Group which comprises officials of the Scottish Executive, the Board and the Law Society of Scotland.

Discussions have taken place in the Tripartite Working Group which comprises officials from the Scottish Executive, the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board on the question of an increase in legal aid fees. The society intend to make proposals to the group and these will be considered by my Department

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues including the taxi provisions contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We anticipate that consultation on the taxi proposals will take place later this year and will take account of the information contained in Mr Oxley's Report.

I announced on 13 March that I have decided to set up a national group to advise the Executive on the transport needs of people with disabilities. The group, on which a variety of organisations concerned with people experiencing mobility problems, including blind and deaf people will be represented, will be able to contribute to the formation of policies on access to all forms of public and private transport. The full remit and membership of the group will be announced following consultation with disability groups and transport bodies.

The Scottish Executive is very conscious of the particular problems of areas such as Falkirk and we shall seek to ensure through investing in jobs and skills, fostering enterprise and encouraging the growth of new businesses that we create sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for all members of the community.

Police forces' budgets are set by their respective police authorities. It is for chief constables to decide how to allocate resources on operational equipment such as the provision of stab proof vests.

The Scottish Executive announced on 7 March that we are providing the Scottish Ambulance Service with £100,000 to help them investigate whether a priority-based system for answering 999 calls would provide a better and more responsive service for patients. We expect to see the findings of the service's investigations later this year, which will include the estimated costs and timescales, associated with introducing such a system.