Those bidding for Executive contracts are assessed on their suitability and capacity to fulfil the particular requirement. This should include consideration of whether or not the bidder has complied with its legal obligations and whether it has committed any acts of misconduct in the conduct of its business. Where a bidder's approach to corporate social responsibility is directly relevant, either to its suitability or its capacity to fulfil the particular requirement then that may be taken into account in the procurement process. The Executive has published guidance (at www.scotland.gov.uk/procurement) for both purchasers and suppliers in respect of sustainable development in porcurement, as part of the Greening Government initiative.

There are no plans to do so at present.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27744.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27744.

We are in discussion with Scottish Business in the Community on how best to promote corporate social responsibility to business, and in particular how the small and medium-sized enterprise sector is best assisted in developing a commitment to corporate social responsibility.We have provided funding for a small piece of research, which has been concluded, mapping current activity on social responsibility in Scotland in the private, public and voluntary sector.The results have been published by AGENDA and distributed to those who took part in the research or have shown an interest in the issue. The results can also be accessed on their website: www.agenda-scotland.orgNo research has been commissioned looking specifically at the benefits of corporate social responsibility to the business sector.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I shall ask Robert Crawford, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, to write to the member.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I shall ask Robert Crawford, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, to write to the member.

The Management Statement issued by the Scottish Executive to Scottish Enterprise requires that they submit statements twice a year to the Executive showing performance against each of the key operating targets identified in their annual operating plan. In addition, on a quarterly basis, Scottish Enterprise prepares a statement of performance against operating plan targets for its board, which is copied to the Scottish Executive.

Closing the opportunity gap for Scotland's children is a key policy for the Executive. Through Sure Start Scotland we provide resources to give every child the best possible start in life. This supports joint-agency integrated service provision, which is often provided through children's centres. The Changing Children's Services Fund is a further source of resources to act as a catalyst for better integration of health, education, social work and voluntary sector services to improve outcomes for vulnerable and deprived children. All these resources are weighted heavily by local authority area to reflect deprivation levels.

We do not, as yet, have reliable data on the number of childcare places in Scotland. Our current monitoring arrangement (through the annual census of Children's Daycare and Pre-School Education Centres) provides data on numbers of children attending these services. However, the 2002 census data, which will be published on 10 September, will provide information on the number of places for the first time.Counting available places does not necessarily give a useful indication of whether needs are being met, for example breakfast club, after school and holiday provision will all be included as separate places, but each is satisfying a different requirement. Furthermore, one "place" may be used by more than one child, since many parents do not require formal childcare full-time. Our view is that although data on both numbers of children and places is required, we need to supplement that with updated research into parent's needs. From the 2001 Census of Children's Daycare and Pre-School Education Centres, we estimate that one-in-five of 0- to 14-year-olds in Scotland were attending pre-school or daycare provision in January 2001. This is broadly the same as the rate in England. We are also examining the scope for setting clearer targets for Childcare Partnerships. These might include specific increases in the level of provision across different types of childcare, which would help to identify the level and type of provision available and where the gaps are.Childcare provision is being expanded through Childcare Strategy funding. £16.75 million this year and next is being channelled through local authorities who, with their Childcare Partnerships, are expected to address and meet local childcare needs. In addition, the New Opportunities Fund current and third round childcare programmes (totalling £46.3 million) are designed to support both new and existing childcare projects.