Chamber and committees

Point 62 of the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force referred specifically to Scottish education-related websites. However, the Scottish Executive has a Web Editorial Board which is overseeing a programme of work to improve the signposting, accessibility and quality of content on the Scottish Executive Website. One aspect of this work programme is ensuring compliance with published guidelines and technical standards including the Framework for Information Age Government Websites and the e-Government Metadata Framework.

The information requested is set out in Learning and Teaching Scotland's Aims and Objectives, Strategic Plan 2001-2004 and Annual Plan 2001-2002, all of which can be found on the internet at http://www.ltscotland.com/about/corporate.asp.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21292.

Several projects funded through the first round of the Modernising Government Fund supported the re-engineering of back office systems and details of progress made on individual projects are available on the 21^st Century Government website. Discussions involving some public sector service providers and private sector partners are also under way to develop innovative proof of concept projects. Bidding Guidance for the second round of the MGF confirmed that Data Sharing, including the integration of front office/back office systems that can facilitate joined up working across organisations, across communities and across the public sector is a key priority to be supported by the fund.

The Executive's digital inclusion strategy sets out evidence that the digital divide in Scotland is closely correlated to low income levels. Initiatives under the digital inclusion strategy will therefore be targeted primarily on low income individuals and communities - and clearly this will include many disabled and elderly people. We also aim to put some of the new public internet access points into facilities used by elderly people. In addition, later this year we will take forward a study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people.

As at 30 November 2001, 223 learning centres had gained learndirect scotland branding. Of these, 111 are in areas of social deprivation. A comprehensive list of the learndirect scotland learning centres and their locations has been lodged with the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 18426).

The Executive continues to work with the BBC to ensure that Scottish interests are represented in policy on production of digital material for schools and more generally. I intend to meet senior BBC representatives shortly.

Information Age Government in Scotland: A draft common Framework was published in draft in December 2000. The framework is currently being revised following consultation and will be published shortly.

Scottish UfI Ltd and the National Grid for Learning team are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). We expect the main elements of the MoU to focus on:identifying and pursuing projects and policies that are of mutual interest where joint involvement would produce greater benefits to the public;ensuring the respective expertise of the organisations involved are mutually recognised and used in partnership where appropriate;sharing expertise in the delivery of online learning;avoiding duplication of effort, andcollaborating in furthering the effective implementation of the Digital Scotland initiative.

E-procurement was addressed by point no 24 of the Digital Scotland Taskforce's report. Since the report's publication the Executive has been working with the wider Scottish public sector, including health and local government, to develop an e-procurement service which will be available to all Scottish public bodies. In November 2001, following an international competition, the Executive announced the selection of Cap Gemini, Ernst and Young and its partner Elcom, to develop and host the web-based service. Pre-implementation work has already commenced in the Executive, Highland Council, West Lothian Council, Highland NHS bodies and Scottish Healthcare Supplies. Pre-implementation work is due to commence shortly in a range of other organisations.