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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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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 online

Post-d: @Liam4Orkney

Facebook: Liam's facebook

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

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.

Motion ref. S6M-09213.3

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

Motion ref. S6M-09191

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

Motion ref. S6M-09191.2

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

Motion ref. S6M-09191.1

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

Motion ref. S6M-09126.3

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

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.

Question ref. S6W-18079

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

Question ref. S6W-18320

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

Question ref. S6O-02322

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

Question ref. S6W-17806

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

Question ref. S6W-18283

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

Question ref. S6W-18172

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

Question ref. S6W-17664

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

Question ref. S6W-17663

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

Question ref. S6W-18195

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

Question ref. S6W-18194

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

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