The Scottish Executive has no plans at present to amend the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 to allow Scottish local authorities to engage in new-build construction work. However, this issue was raised in the recent consultation on the Scottish Local Government Bill. The Executive will take time to consider the views of those who responded on this issue.

Ministers and officials have had the following meetings to discuss the exemption scheme for water and sewerage charges:

Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations	7 January, 30 January, 7 February and 6 March
Scottish Churches Committee	31 January and 6 February
Youth organisations	1 February and 6 February

These discussions contributed to the development of the exemption scheme now being implemented. Further meetings are expected.

The regulations providing for exemption from water and sewerage charges for small voluntary organisations will include a definition of income for the purposes of assessing eligibility for the scheme.

The Executive published its response on 12 March.

A consultative draft of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement has been published today, 11 March 2002. I am placing copies in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19805). We are seeking comments on the consultative draft by 31 May 2002, prior to issuing a final version of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement later this year.

Protecting our communities from drug-related anti-social and criminal behaviour is one of the four pillars of our drugs strategy, along with helping young people, treating those affected by drug misuse, and stifling the availability of drugs. Through Scotland Against Drugs' Challenge Fund and Community Fund, the Executive is supporting a wide range of diverse and innovative projects designed to address local drugs problems. Along with the Daily Record, we have recently launched the Scottish Communities Against Drugs initiative.Progress in delivering our strategy is set out in our Annual Report, which was published in November. Copies were sent to all MSPs, and the report is also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The effectiveness of Route Accident Reduction Plans is monitored by comparing the accident figures for the three years preceding the implementation of the plan with those for the three years following completion of the works.

The allocation for the trunk roads network, including investment in new construction, improvements and routine maintenance, is £774 million between 1999 and 2003. This does not include capital charges and other adjustments made as a result of the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting from April 2001. A more detailed breakdown is shown in the Executive's Annual Expenditure Reports, copies of which are held by the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Sure Start Scotland seeks to give a positive start to the lives of very young children by providing broad-based support to children and families from deprived areas. The first phase of the evaluation of Sure Start Scotland focused on mapping the provision of services. We will disseminate the findings shortly.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21955.