Liam McArthur
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for Orkney Islands (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for Orkney (Constituency) 2007 - 2011
About Liam McArthur
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5815
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
14 Palace Road
Kirkwall
Orkney Islands
KW15 1PA
Phone: 01856 876541
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Liam is a member of 1 committee
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Liam is a member of 10 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on End of Life Choices
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on MS
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rugby Development in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Liam has 2 parliamentary and government roles
Conveners Group
Convener
Deputy Presiding Officer
Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
Party Roles
Liam has 2 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on the Climate Emergency
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles
Liam has had 17 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 October 2021 - 01 February 2023
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Substitute Member
18 November 2020 - 14 September 2021
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive
Member
06 May 2021 - 27 August 2021
Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Liberal Democrats
22 June 2021 - 26 August 2021
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Deputy Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Member
19 May 2016 - 20 May 2021
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Appointed Member
08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021
Justice Committee
Member
06 October 2016 - 04 May 2021
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
08 November 2016 - 04 May 2021
Education and Skills Committee
Substitute Member
29 August 2017 - 04 May 2021
Presiding Officer's Advisory Group
Member
25 May 2011 - 19 May 2016
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Appointed Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Education and Culture Committee
Member
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Public Audit Committee
Substitute Member
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Finance Committee
Substitute Member
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
Member
21 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Economy Energy and Tourism Committee
Substitute Member
13 June 2007 - 02 September 2008
Finance Committee
Member
Register of interests
Liam'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.
Here is the register for Liam McArthur. The date of their initial statement was 20 May 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
From 27 to 28 October 2011 I participated in a trip to the Elgin-Franklin oil and gas installation to learn more about the industry and how it operates. Total E&P UK (an oil and gas exploration and production company of Crawpeel Road, Altens, Aberdeen, AB12 3FG) met the costs of this visit which were approximately £1,750. This included coach and helicopter transport, accommodation and safety clothing.
Since January 2022, I have been receiving the support of an additional staff member, for four days per week, to support the development of my proposed Member’s Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults. The post is funded by three permissible donors: Friends at the End (a Scottish registered charity working to promote end of life choices, of 4 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE); Dignity in Dying (a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a change in the law on assisted dying, of 181 Oxford Street, London, W1D 2JT); Humanist Society Scotland (a Scottish registered charity that promotes humanist views and campaigns for assisted dying, of Suite 25, 4 Lochside Way, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT). From the end of June 2022 until January 2023, this staff member’s work on the proposed Bill will decrease to one day per week. The total value of this support will amount to £26,250 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £8,750, Dignity in Dying - £8,750, Humanist Society Scotland - £8,750. [Registered 3 May 2022, Amended interest 14 October 2022, Amended interest 24 October 2022]
Overseas visits
From 7 to 11 October 2014 I was part of a cross-party delegation of MSPs who visited the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the invitation of the Director General, Taipei Representative Office (Edinburgh Office) in the UK, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China Department (of 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PE). The delegation held meetings with a number of Government departments, trade and cultural organisations including; President MA Ying-Jeou and Madame Ma, Scottish Development International (Taiwan Office), Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taipei City Council, Straits Exchange Foundation, British Trade and Cultural Office, Hsinchu Science Park, Green Energy and Environment Research Lab, King Car Whisky Distillery and the National Centre for Traditional Arts. The cost of the visit was; air ticket £2,780, accommodation £528, bus £133, high speed rail £12, food £163, tickets for 101, opera and hot spring £59. The total cost was £3,675 met in its entirety by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). I also received gifts, which included a vase, a tie and tie pin, a glass ornament and a book. The value of the items are below the threshold for registration in the gifts category.
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
I am the Chair of the Orkney Japan Association.
In August 2010 I became an honorary patron of the British Veterinary Association. My role involves raising awareness of the BVA’s role and receiving information on activities and attitudes of the BVA, including access to the members only section of the BVA website. This role is unremunerated. I estimate that the value of gaining access to the website is below the threshold for registration in the gifts category. On 12 August 2021 I became a lifetime member. [Amended interest 27 August 2021]
Recent Activity
What was said
What Liam McArthur 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: 31 May 2023
Education (National Discussion)
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09123, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on let’s talk education—the national discussion. 14:56"
Chamber meeting date: 30 May 2023
Deposit Return Scheme
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a statement by Lorna Slater on the deposit return scheme. The minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:49"
Chamber meeting date: 30 May 2023
Hospital at Home Programme
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09191, in the name of Michael Matheson, on the hospital at home programme in Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 30 May 2023
Protecting Devolution and the Scottish Parliament
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-08885, in the name of Keith Brown, on protecting devolution and the Scottish Parliament. The debate will be concluded without any question being put…
Chamber meeting date: 25 May 2023
Dental Services (Patient Access)
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I thank the minister for her comment about recruitment and retention. She will recognise that there are particular issues in rural and island areas…
Votes
How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Let's Talk Education – The National Discussion
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Result 29 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Hospital at Home Programme in Scotland
Submitted by: Michael Matheson, Falkirk West, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Supported by: Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Result 114 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Hospital at Home Programme in Scotland
Submitted by: Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Result 47 for, 65 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Hospital at Home Programme in Scotland
Submitted by: Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Result 17 for, 94 against, 3 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Defeated
Ending Violence in Scottish Schools
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Result 93 for, 18 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Liam McArthur in Parliament
Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Liam McArthur has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 18 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government when the Ferry Replacement Task Force will next meet."
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 May 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17663 by Lorna Slater on 23 May 2023, whether it will provide an answer to the question that was asked about which (a) businesses and (b) trade associations have confirmed to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity that their “number one…
Answer expected on 9 June 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations update, whether it will provide an update on superfast broadband roll-out in Orkney."
Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12122 by Lorna Slater on 23 November 2022, whether (a) SEPA and (b) Circularity Scotland has carried out any assessment of the issue raised in the question."
Answered by Lorna Slater on 24 May 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has changed its target for the publication of the final version of its biodiversity strategy to 2045, along with the first delivery plan, since the draft strategy was published, and, if so, what the original target was."
Answer expected on 8 June 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats,
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-17666, S6W-17669 and S6W-17670 by Paul McLennan on 17 May 2023, how much money has been allocated, in total, by the funds during the current parliamentary session, broken down by local authority."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity during the ministerial statement on the Deposit Return Scheme on 20 April 2023, which (a) businesses and (b) trade associations have expressed concerns relating to uncertainty around the scheme for any reason."
Answered by Lorna Slater on 23 May 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity during the ministerial statement on the Deposit Return Scheme on 20 April 2023, which (a) businesses and (b) trade associations have confirmed to the minister that their “number one concern” is uncertainty created…
Answered by Lorna Slater on 23 May 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 22 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14348 by Shona Robison on 31 January 2023, whether it will provide a breakdown, by local authority area, of the data for each year."
Answer expected on 7 June 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 22 May 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14348 by Shona Robison on 31 January 2023, whether it will provide updated data for 2022-23."
Answer expected on 7 June 2023
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament