HC Deb 26 May 1994 vol 244 c302W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific measures she plans to take to aid in drawing farmers' attention to the help networks currently available to deal with rural stress and suicide; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Bowis

Over the last year, this Department has helped to finance initiatives in rural areas to increase awareness of suicide and the sources of help that are available. The Department has made a grant of £50,000 per annum over three years from 1994–95 to help support the Samaritans' outreach programme, part of which will be focused on rural areas and agriculture. The Department also supported a conference on rural stress, entitled "Rural Stress—Positive Action in Partnership", which took place earlier this year.