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As previously announced, the Scottish Government remains committed to introducing legislation to amend the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in this Parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government consulted on extending the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 last year. Its formal response to the consultation, which was published in January 2011, is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/FOI/ResponsePaperFOI. In conclusion, having considered all relevant factors, the government is not persuaded that it is at present appropriate to formally extend coverage.

The government intends to defer further consideration of extension until the proposed amendment bill has been considered by the Scottish Parliament.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01811 on 19 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government does intend to cooperate with the Leveson Inquiry. Lord Justice Leveson has indicated that he wishes to begin public hearings in September 2011. The Scottish Government has not to date, been in contact with the inquiry.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01809 on 16 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

All Scottish Government funding under the Malawi Development Programme goes directly to Scottish based organisations, working with their local partners in country. The Scottish Government has been in contact with the Honorary Consul of Malawi in Scotland following the reported civil unrest. We continue to monitor the situation and maintain close contact with both Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this.

All Scottish Government funding under the Malawi Development Programme goes directly to Scottish based organisations, working with their local partners in country. The Scottish Government has been monitoring the reported civil society unrest and continues to maintain close contact with both the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this.

The contents of the Single Outcome Agreement for each Local Authority area are determined by the Community Planning Partnership in discussion with Scottish Government. I am keen to maintain an active and collaborative dialogue with local authorities in relation to support for the arts and, indeed, cultural services. The Scottish Government recognises the important contribution that culture can play in delivering all of our national outcomes and would strongly encourage local authorities to recognise that contribution too.

Get Scotland Dancing is a Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy policy. The Scottish Government, together with its partner organisations, will continue to work to create a suite of opportunities for people across Scotland to improve their health and wellbeing through dance, help to support Scotland’s vibrant dance sector and promote Scotland on the international stage. I launched the policy at a rehearsal of the mass choreographed dance routine which was performed at the Delhi handover in October 2010. Dance was the major focus of the Games for Scotland events in all of Scotland’s local authorities to mark the moment when Glasgow became the host city for the 20th Commonwealth Games and will continue to play a high profile role in forthcoming Games for Scotland events. Further details will be provided in the autumn.

I refer the member to the question S4W-01538. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.