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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-19139

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many cervical cancer screenings have taken place in each month since July 2021.

NHS National Services Scotland provides national coordination for the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme, which is commissioned by Boards and delivered by primary care. Scottish Government does not hold the information requested centrally. However, Public Health Scotland publish programme statistics on an annual basis and the latest report can be viewed at : https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/scottish-cervical-screening-programme-statistics/scottish-cervical-screening-programme-statistics-annual-update-to-31-march-2022/

Question reference: S6W-19144

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many newborn screenings have taken place in each month since July 2021.

Question reference: S6W-19158

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of sextortion have been recorded by Police Scotland in each year since 2017.

The National Statistics on recorded crime do not include a specific code for crimes of ‘sextortion’ (i.e. extortion involving the threat of sharing sexual information about the victim). There are however two types of crime that include activity that could be considered to constitute ‘sextortion’.

Table 1 shows the estimated volume of threats and extortion committed online, from 2019-20 to 2022-23. This is based on an annual review of crime records (commenced in 2019-20) which aims to estimate how many cyber-crimes are recorded in Scotland. It should be noted the figures below are based on a sample of police records (rather than all police records), so should be seen as providing a broad estimate of the volume of this type of crime, rather than an exact count.

Whilst not all online threats and extortion will necessarily have a ‘sextortion’ based element, it is very likely a high proportion (and certainly the majority) of the cases shown below do. Where ‘sextortion’ related crimes are recorded under this heading, it will be where the perpetrator has made demands for money or other valuables.

Table 1 - Estimated volume of threats and extortion committed online: 2019-20 to 2022-23

	Estimated volume committed online
Crime type	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Threats and extortion	290	730	1,260	1,830

Source: Recorded Crime National Statistics, Police recorded cyber-crime in Scotland

The second type of crime in the National Statistics that may also be considered to show an element of ‘sextortion’ is Threatening to disclose an intimate image. Table 2 below shows the number of these crimes recorded since the associated Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act was implemented on 3 July 2017. Where a crime of Threatening to disclose an intimate image is recorded, the motive is something other than financial gain, for example a demand of a physical sexual nature may be made, or some other attempt to exert control over the victim.

Table 2 – Count of crimes of Threatening to disclose an intimate image: 2017-18 to 2022-23

Crime type	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Threatening to disclose an intimate image	193	255	275	337	382	302

Source: Recorded Crime National Statistics, Scotland

Question reference: S6W-19100

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18309 by Angela Constance on 9 June 2023, which three buildings have been identified.

Question reference: S6W-19098

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of consultants working on the National Care Service has been to date.

Question reference: S6W-19103

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18309 by Angela Constance on 9 June 2023, when it anticipates a decision on the long-term solutions for buildings will be taken.

Police Scotland updated the Scottish Police Authority Resources Committee on 9 May 2023, that it is working with structural engineers and business areas to identify longer term solutions for the areas where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found. While these solutions will be considered in the context of the delivery of the Police Scotland Estate Strategy, Police Scotland will continue to closely monitor the condition of the RAAC in the affected buildings.

Question reference: S6W-19101

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18309 by Angela Constance on 9 June 2023, whether any part of the three buildings has been closed and/or made unavailable for use.

Police Scotland updated the Scottish Police Authority Resources Committee on 9 May 2023, that the Fettes workshop has been closed, with business continuity arrangements put in place; and that staff have been relocated from the affected area in Baluniefield. No immediate action has been taken in Perth as the RAAC is limited to one small area and is graded low risk. Police Scotland has also provided assurance that there is no risk from RAAC to officers, staff or visitors across the police estate.

Question reference: S6W-19099

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18309 by Angela Constance on 9 June 2023, whether any estimate of the cost of providing the long-term solutions has been made to date.

Question reference: S6W-19021

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, when it anticipates that inspection surveys will (a) begin and (b) finish.

Scottish Government has recently appointed an external professional advisor to provide guidance on the scope of building condition surveys required for Scottish Government buildings. It anticipates receiving details of the scope within approximately 8-10 weeks, surveys will be instructed immediately thereafter and in line with Scottish Government Procurement guidelines. The time to complete the surveys will be dependent on the scope provided, number of buildings and procurement guidance.

Question reference: S6W-19022

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18315 by Shona Robison on 7 June 2023, by what date its appointed specialist will have developed the scope for inspection surveys.