§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to reduce the suicide rate of farmers in rural Wales; and if he will make a statement. [28008]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThis is an area of great concern for us and we are taking a number of measures to address it.
The Mental Illness Strategy provides a framework for a comprehensive range of services to be developed across Wales, to provide care and support locally. We have set as a health target the reduction in the number of suicides across Wales. More specifically, we have funded the Institute of Rural Health in Gregynog to undertake a study of suicide in Powys, in order to examine specific Welsh factors leading to such tragedies. We have been involved also in a conference to identify the causes of rural stress and to create a strategy to tackle the issues. The Rural Stress Information Network was launched on 4 December 1996 and provides a vital link between Government, farming industry and the voluntary sector on all matters concerning rural stress.