Chamber and committees

The Executive is already committed to providing a stable funding environment for the voluntary sector including three-year funding for our own direct support. The Executive's wider Strategic Funding Review will be looking closely at funding of the sector by all public bodies. The Executive recently issued an accountability framework to inform local Alcohol Action Teams (AATs) of what should be in their three-year plans. The framework generally requires security of three-year funding to be passed on to all voluntary sector agencies undertaking work in the AAT area.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues and does intend to input to the UK Government's response to the European Commission's White Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility.

My officials are currently considering this matter and are in discussion with Scottish Water and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Scottish Water is currently conducting a thorough survey of their network, with a view to understanding the scale of the development constraints problem and its implications. This task will enable the Executive to make an informed choice, and I will make my proposals known in due course.

No. This is a universal programme to ensure that all over 60s households in the private sector and all social rented tenants without central heating have access to a free central heating system, insulation and energy advice.

No.The funding available to Scottish Water during the current four year investment cycle is described in some detail in Water Quality and Standards Investment Priorities for Scotland's Water Authorities 2002-2006 (Bib. number 15676). The purpose of wastewater treatment works is to treat discharges of wastewater to a standard which will benefit the environment.Scottish Water's investment programme is already very substantial and is based upon the advice of a wide range of bodies including Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Water Industry Commission. It reflects a balance between our meeting environmental and public health considerations on the one hand, and the affordability of charges to customers on the other.

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.

There are no plans to do so at present.

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.

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