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Do you feel that you have a choice as to whether to do that, or do you sometimes feel pressured to join the national frameworks?

Thank you.

Melanie, do you wish to comment?

So, ultimately, do you feel that you have choice, but you still feel pressured? I am not putting words in your mouth.

Thank you very much. Craig, would you like to comment?

Craig Fergusson mentioned the two ominous words “standing orders”. We could probably have a week-long session on council standing orders when it comes to procurement. With that, convener, I think that I had better stop.

Melanie Mackenzie mentioned what sounds like continuous improvement in trying to get procurement right. Would it be fair to say that all your authorities are doing similar work? Yes or no.

My question has been answered, convener.

Lynette—yes or no?

Grand.

I will go back to the commentary—I think that it came from Craig Fergusson—about national frameworks and value for money. I have a general question about Scotland Excel. What are your feelings about that contract? Are they good, bad or indifferent?

So there is still a difficulty in some places and areas of business, in that the accountants and solicitors are probably too much in the driving seat rather than those who are on the front line.