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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Alasdair Allan

Scottish National Party

MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Constituency) 2011 - present day

Former MSP for Western Isles (Constituency) 2007 - 2011

About Alasdair Allan

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @alasdairallan

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 01851 700357
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

20 Kenneth Street
Stornoway
HS1 2DR

Phone: 01851 700357
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Alasdair is a member of 1 cross-party group

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Member

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Alasdair does not have any parliamentary or government roles

Party Roles

Alasdair does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Alasdair has had 19 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

27 June 2024 - 13 June 2025

Acting Minister for Climate Action

Scottish Government

29 June 2023 - 17 June 2024

Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Substitute Member

01 February 2023 - 17 June 2024

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 29 June 2023

Constitution Europe External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

17 June 2021 - 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Member

08 September 2021 - 31 March 2022

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Substitute Member

06 February 2019 - 04 May 2021

Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints

Member

06 October 2020 - 04 May 2021

Finance and Constitution Committee

Member

06 September 2018 - 06 October 2020

Education and Skills Committee

Member

25 February 2020 - 01 September 2020

Justice Committee

Member

06 September 2018 - 25 February 2020

Social Security Committee

Member

18 May 2016 - 28 June 2018

Minister for International Development and Europe

Scottish Government

06 December 2011 - 18 May 2016

Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages

Scottish Government

25 May 2011 - 06 December 2011

Minister for Learning and Skills

Scottish Government

27 March 2008 - 22 March 2011

parliamentaryLiaisonOfficerToTheOffice of the First Minister

Scottish Government

20 May 2010 - 22 March 2011

Education Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

Member

14 June 2007 - 22 March 2011

Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee

Substitute Member

02 September 2008 - 20 May 2010

Local Government and Communities Committee

Deputy Convener

13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008

Local Government and Communities Committee

Member

Register of interests

Alasdair's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Alasdair Allan has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Chamber meeting date: 18 December 2025

Fishing and Coastal Communities

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "I am grateful for the opportunity to bring to the chamber an issue that matters to every fishing community in Scotland. It certainly matters to people in my island constituency, who have not been slow to raise it with me…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 17 December 2025

Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Fruit and Vegetables) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [Draft]

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Minister, I think that you mentioned at the beginning that the power to change the definitions of growers organisations is reserved or is under UK law…

Chamber meeting date: 16 December 2025

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "I hear what Mr Balfour says, and I echo what has been said about his dedication to supporting disabled people. However, before we set up any false divisions, will he acknowledge that many of us have campaigned for both Gaelic and BSL?"

Chamber meeting date: 11 December 2025

British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 Inquiry

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Looking back on the legislation as someone who was involved in it at the Government end, I think that Karen Adam touches on an important point, which is the importance of BSL as a language and all the human dignity that that implies…

Chamber meeting date: 9 December 2025

Salmon Farming (Mortality Figures)

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "As we rightly consider these figures, does the cabinet secretary agree that we also have a responsibility to ensure that we recognise the economic importance of salmon farming to the Highlands and Islands, not least in my own constituency?"

Votes

How Alasdair Allan has voted in Parliament

Find out how Alasdair Allan has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-20135

Motion of No Confidence

Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Supported by: Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Result 57 for, 67 against, 1 abstained, 4 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 50 Amendment 11

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Result 1 for, 95 against, 18 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-20167

Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Maurice Golden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Friday, December 12, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Result 119 for, 2 against, 0 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-20138

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Result 120 for, 0 against, 1 abstained, 8 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-20099

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, December 11, 2025

Result 79 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 23 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motions

Questions

Questions Alasdair Allan has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S6W-42684

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 18 December 2025

Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 18 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support Scotland’s pelagic processing factories, following significant mackerel and herring quota cuts and the reduced volume of product available to them next year."

Question reference: S6O-05331

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 17 December 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to ensure that rural and island communities have access to legal aid."

Question reference: S6W-42566

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 12 December 2025

Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 December 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in setting out how it will restore 400,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2040."

Question reference: S6W-41565

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 28 October 2025

Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 October 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill after 31 December 2025."

Question reference: S6O-03598

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 12 June 2024

Question reference: S6O-03549

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 5 June 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 June 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently published data from Scotland’s Census on the number of people with Gaelic language skills."

Question reference: S6O-03472

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 15 May 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 May 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to Loganair to ensure that constituents in Na h-Eileanan an Iar are not disadvantaged as a result of recent changes to flight timetables."

Question reference: S6O-03401

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 1 May 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the NHS supports the health of rural and islands communities through regular visits from consultants."

Question reference: S6W-27125

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 29 April 2024

Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 April 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on implementing the Border Target Operating Model."

Question reference: S6O-03341

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party

Date lodged: 17 April 2024

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its approach alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to secure the long-term future of the Gaelic Officers Scheme."

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