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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

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 9 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Epilepsy

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Europe

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fisheries and Coastal Communities

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gaelic

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on International Development

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries

Deputy Convener

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 12 previous roles

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

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

14 June 2007 - 22 March 2011

Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee

Substitute Member

20 May 2010 - 22 March 2011

Education Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee

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.

Here is the register for Alasdair Allan. The date of their initial statement was 22 May 2021.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests

Gifts

In 2017 and 2020 I ran competitions in schools in the Western Isles to design my official Christmas card. Ask Care Hire (a care hire company of, Isle of Benbecula) made donations of £200 in 2017 and £250 in 2020 to cover some of the costs of these cards. I did not profit personally from these donations but as the 2020 donation took me over the threshold for gifts I wished to add these to my Register for reasons of transparency.

Overseas visits

No registrable interests

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests

Heritable property

No registrable interests

Interest in shares

No registrable interests

Voluntary

In December 2022, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card. I received the following contributions to help offset the cost of printing: £50 from the Borve Lodge Estate, Isle of Harris and £50 from the Church Street Chip Shop, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. [Registered 31 January 2023]

In 2020, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card and received the following sponsorship to partially offset costs for printing, etc. The donations received were as follows: The Scottish Salmon Company, Isle of Lewis, £100.00; Ken MacDonald Lawyers and Estate Agents, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £50.00; Hebridean Tea Store, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £50; The Island Spirit Whisky Shop, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, £40. For one further sponsor of this competition, see the “gifts” section of the register.

I am a member of Amnesty International from which I derive no remuneration.

I am an associate member of Storas Uibhist (South Uist Community Trust) from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of Comunn Eachdraidh Eiriosgaidh (Eriskay Historical Society) (c/o the community hall, Eriskay). I receive no remuneration for this membership.

I am a member of Dualchas Bharraigh (Barra Heritage Society) (Castlebay, Isle of Barra, HS9 5XD). I receive no remuneration for this membership.

I am a member of Coisir Sgir’ a Bhac (Back Gaelic Choir). I have been involved with this choir since 2006 and subsequently become a paid up member. I receive no remuneration from this membership.

In October 2012 I received a gift of a large framed photograph of the isle of Harris for the wall of my office in Holyrood from the Morvern Gallery ltd, Barvas, Isle of Lewis. The estimated value of this gift is £400.

In 2014 I ran a Christmas card competition in local schools at my own expense. I offset the costs with the following donations from local businesses: Hebrides Art Ltd, Isle of Harris (£50); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Isle of Lewis (£50); Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50); Alex Martin Builders, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Ardhasaig filling station, Isle of Harris (£20).

On 13 January 2014 I was presented with a copy of the book "From the Land Comes the Cloth" by Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis. The value of the book is £125.

On Friday 20 July 2018 I visited the Shiant Isles to see the work undertaken by a seabird recovery project. This visit was organised and facilitated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland. The total cost was £60 and this was paid for by the ‘Shiant Isles Restoration Project’. The project is an EU LIFE funding project, delivered by Scottish Natural Heritage and RSPB Scotland.

I am a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. I derive no financial benefit from this.

In 2019 I ran a competition among schools in my constituency to design my official Christmas card. I received the following amounts of sponsorship: Horshader Community Development Trust - £250; Hebridean Energy - £100; Bob Golland Plumbing and Heating - £40; Ken MacDonald & Co - £100; and The Blue Pig Studio, Carloway - £50

In September 2021, ThunderPoint Publishing are due to publish my book “Tweed Rins tae the Ocean”. Any royalties due to me are being divided equally between two charities. These are the Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative and the Maimi Martin Fund (which provides education for girls in Malawi). Any monies will be paid directly by the publishers to the charities.

In 2021, I ran a competition in local schools to design my official Christmas card. The costs of printing, etc, were offset by three donations: S.R. Smile, (Castleview Dental Practice), Stornoway £100, Ken MacDonald & Co Solicitors, Stornoway £100 and Bob Golland Heating Services, Isle of Lewis £40. [Registered 5 December 2021]

I am member of Royal British Legion Scotland. I derive no financial benefits from this membership.

In June 2022, I appeared at the Borders Book Festival. My fee of £175 was paid direct to Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative. [Registered 27 June 2022]

In 2013 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Isle of Lewis (£50); SBA architects, Stornoway (£25); Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50); Macleod Garages Stornoway (£40); Hebrides Art Ltd, Isle of Harris (£50); and Alex Martin Builders Ltd, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£100).

I am a member of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.

I have a £25 share in Buth Tholastadh (the shop, Tolsta, Isle of Lewis). This is a community owned shop from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of the Robert Burns World Federation, from which I derive no remuneration.

I am a member of the Saltire Society, from which I derive no remuneration.

On 3 July 2010 I visited Grimersta Lodge (Uig, Isle of Lewis), in my constituency. The visit included a day’s fishing. The costs of the fishing (£300) were met by Grimersta Lodge.

I am a member of Uist Wool, from which I receive no financial or other benefit.

In 2012 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: Rodel Hotel, Rodel, Isle of Harris (£50); Luskentyre Harris Tweed Ltd, Luskentyre, Isle of Harris (£25); AMK Plant and Tipper Hire Ltd, 4 New Park, Callanish, Isle of Lewis (£25); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Island Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (£50); Alex Martin Builders, 55 Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, Tangasdale, Isle of Barra (£50).

I am a member of the Norwegian Scottish Association in Edinburgh. I gain no financial benefit from this membership.

In 2015 I ran a competition in local schools for a design for my Christmas card. The costs of printing were offset by sponsorship from: AJ Martin Builders Ltd, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis (£60); Alex Murray Construction Ltd, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (£50); and Rodel Hotel, Isle of Harris (£50).

Since 2016 I have been an honorary patron of the Helping Hand Trust, Scotland (a trust which is seeking to promote the Norwegian community and their culture in Scotland and to develop friendly ties between the two countries, through activities in and around the former Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Leith). I derive no financial gain from this connection.

In 2016 I ran a Christmas card competition in local schools, and offset the cost of printing, etc, through donations from the following local companies: £250 from the Crown Hotel, Stornoway, £100 from Harris Tweed Hebrides, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, £50 from Alex Martin Builders, Vatisker, Isle of Lewis, £30 from Scarista House Hotel, Isle of Harris, and £30 from WJ MacDonald Butchers, Stornoway.

In 2017 I ran a competition in schools in the Western Isles to design my official Christmas card. The following donations were made by local firms to cover some of the costs of these cards; Harris Tweed Hebrides, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis, £100; Lighting Electrical, Stornoway, £100; Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, Isle of Barra, £50; and Bob Golland Plumbing, Isle of Lewis, £20. For one further sponsor of this competition, see the “gifts” section of the register.

In 2018 I organised a Christmas card competition in local schools. A number of local firms contributed towards offsetting my costs of doing this, though this year, I gave 50% of the below donations to the Iolaire centenary commemoration fund. The donations received were as follows: Creagorry Motors, Isle of Benbecula £200; Luskentyre Harris Tweed Company, Isle of Harris £50; Ken MacDonald and Co, Estate Agents, Isle of Lewis, £50; AJ Martin Builders, Isle of Lewis £50; Mr Alan Brown, £100; Harris Tweed Hebrides, Isle of Lewis, £100.

I own a single £25 share in April 2022 in the Seallam! Hebrides People Visitors’ Centre, a community - owned company in the Isle of Harris. [Registered 10 April 2020]

On 5 July 2019 I joined Comunn Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (Back History Association). I derive no financial benefit from this.

I am a member of the Harris Development Trust from which I derive no remuneration.

On 11 October 2008 and 16 May 2009 I received dinner, bed and breakfast at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, Isle of Harris. The castle was not open to the public at the time but I estimate the value of this to be £250 on each occasion.

I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, from which I derive no remuneration.

From 3 to 7 July 2009 I visited St. Kilda in my constituency. The National Trust for Scotland (Charlotte Square, Edinburgh) met the costs of my visit which comprised a return helicopter flight from Benbecula to St. Kilda and bunkhouse accommodation on St. Kilda. I estimate the value of the flights and accommodation to be £200.

I have a single £25 share in Seallam Ltd, a community company seeking to develop a genealogical visitor centre in Harris. I make no profit from this share, and it represents less than 1% of the company’s value. [Registered 10 November 2022]

I am a member of the Western Isles Credit Union, where I have had a token amount of £5 invested since 2009. I do this to indicate my support for the Credit Union movement and receive no material financial benefit.

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: 28 September 2023

Screen Machine (Funding)

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Screen Machine is a much-cherished service, as we have heard, for people who would otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles to get to a static cinema…

Chamber meeting date: 28 September 2023

Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "I do not know whether Jeremy Balfour will have a great answer to this. I have listened to him telling the chamber for some time that we are not doing enough and that we are just tinkering…

Chamber meeting date: 28 September 2023

Scotland’s Future Energy System

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "With an interconnector due to be in place for 2030, the Western Isles are set to host significant renewables developments over the next decade…

Chamber meeting date: 27 September 2023

Parliamentary Bureau Motion

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "Will the member take an intervention?"

Chamber meeting date: 27 September 2023

Rural Visa Pilot Scheme

Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): "I begin by thanking Kate Forbes for bringing to the chamber a debate that has a striking relevance to my constituency. As she mentioned, the census figures show a population drop of 5…

Votes

How Alasdair Allan has voted in Parliament

Find out how Alasdair Allan has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 19 Amendment 19

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Result 49 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 19 Amendment 18

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Result 50 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 21 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 19 Amendment 23

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Result 48 for, 59 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 19 Amendment 17

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Result 50 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 21 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 19 Amendment 16

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Result 49 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

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 ref. S6O-02600

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 27 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy is supporting people on low incomes to move towards greener energy use in their homes."

Taken in the Chamber on 5 October 2023

Question ref. S6O-02490

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 6 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its proposed Land Reform Bill."

Taken in the Chamber on 13 September 2023

Question ref. S6O-02467

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 August 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the local government empowerment minister in July, whether it will provide an update on what discussions he has had regarding the roll-out of the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund."

Taken in the Chamber on 6 September 2023

Question ref. S6W-20404

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 3 August 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the reported shortage of specialist oncologists within NHS Highland."

Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 August 2023

Question ref. S6W-20514

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 9 August 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Crofting Commission processing times of applications for (a) decrofting, (b) apportionment and (c) registration, and whether processing times have improved in the last five years…

Answered by Gillian Martin on 22 August 2023

Question ref. S6W-20127

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 20 July 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to develop a sustainable, diverse, competitive and economically viable aquaculture industry."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 July 2023

Question ref. S6W-19495

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 27 June 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Jersey."

Answered by Paul McLennan on 28 June 2023

Question ref. S6W-19373

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 22 June 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report produced by the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic."

Answered by Neil Gray on 27 June 2023

Question ref. S6W-19398

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 June 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Agricultural Reform Route Map."

Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 June 2023

Question ref. S6O-02433

Asked by: Allan, Dr Alasdair, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 21 June 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the publication, Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2022-23."

Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2023

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