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
Email: [email protected]
Website: liammcarthur.org.uk
Twitter: @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
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
Liam is a member of 11 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
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ukraine
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Liam has 2 parliamentary and government roles
Conveners Group
Convener
Deputy Presiding Officer
Scottish Parliament
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 25 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
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Liberal Democrats
29 May 2016 - 04 May 2021
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Party Spokesperson on Education and Young People
Scottish Liberal Democrats
20 May 2011 - 23 March 2016
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Energy
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Education and Culture Committee
Member
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Public Audit Committee
Substitute Member
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Liberal Democrats
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Party Spokesperson on Enterprise
Scottish Liberal Democrats
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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
I have been receiving the support of an additional staff member 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 Jan 2022 to June 2022 the support was provided 4 days per week. From June 2022 the additional support provided was one day per week. It is expected that support will continue at one day per week until January 2024. The total value of this support over two years (Jan 2022 – Jan 2024) will amount to £35,949 with individual donations as follows: Friends at the End - £11,983, Dignity in Dying - £11,983 Humanist Society Scotland - £11,983. [Registered 3 May 2022, Amended interest 14 October 2022, Amended interest 24 October 2022, Amended interest 26 September 2023]
Since September 2021, I have received support in publishing materials relating to my proposed Member’s Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults, in the form of a website maintained by the permissible donor, 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). Humanist Society Scotland have developed and continue to maintain this website, www.assisteddying.scot, as well as covering the cost of the domain and website hosting. It was set up to host information relating to the public consultation on my proposals, in line with rules governing Member’s Bills, including: my proposal consultation document; accessible versions of the consultation; the Non-Governmental Bills Unit’s Summary Report on the consultation, and; responses to the public consultation by any individuals or organisations who provided permission for these to be published. It also hosts a report produced by the Medical Advisory Group I established to inform the practical implementation of legal assisted as proposed in my Member’s Bill. The cost of the website is £572.56 per annum. Up to September 2023 the total costs for the website are: £1,145.12. The website will remain live for the remainder of this Session of the Parliament to a total cumulative cost of £2,671.95. [Registered 26 September 2023]
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.
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
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]
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
I am the Chair of the Orkney Japan Association.
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: 6 December 2023
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "Good afternoon. Inaudible. My microphone is not on. That is not a good start. Good afternoon—is that coming through? There we go. That is better. Good afternoon, for the third time. The first item of business is portfolio question time…
Chamber meeting date: 6 December 2023
United Kingdom Government (Meetings)
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "Thank you. Question 6 is from Roz McCall."
Chamber meeting date: 6 December 2023
County Lines (Prevention)
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "That concludes portfolio questions on justice and home affairs. I thank members for their patience and perseverance given the earlier problems with the microphones…
Chamber meeting date: 6 December 2023
Post-mortem Reports (Maximum Waiting Time)
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "I am aware that there is an issue with microphones, including mine and those on the front benches. Broadcasting staff are looking at the issue. It is not affecting broadcasting, but it is clearly not helping the audio in the chamber…
Chamber meeting date: 6 December 2023
Fiscal Framework Review
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "No. Alex Rowley is beginning to conclude."
Votes
How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 4, 2023
Supported by: George Adam, Tom Arthur, Joe FitzPatrick
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 63 for, 56 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Ash Regan, Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 1 for, 119 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 56 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Michael Marra, North East Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 25 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Fiscal Framework Review
Submitted by: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Result 31 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
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: 5 December 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) men and (b) women have (i) been prosecuted, (ii) been prosecuted and convicted and (iii) not been prosecuted but have received direct measures for TV licence fee non-payment in each of the last five years."
Answer expected on 19 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 5 December 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates Scotland's prison population will exceed 8,000 people in 2023, and, if so, when it anticipates this will take place."
Answer expected on 19 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 5 December 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently imprisoned in Scotland."
Answer expected on 19 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the presence of COVID-19 warnings in official communications since the final lifting of restrictions."
Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the content of COVID-19 warnings used in official communications, in particular in relation to the emphasis on "clean hands" and "two metres distance" and the lack of mention of ventilation, since the emergence of evidence that COVID-19 primarily spreads via aerosols and not…
Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions of corporations there have ever been for the (a) common law offence of culpable homicide and (b) statutory offence of corporate homicide, and which corporations were convicted."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 28 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions have ever been brought against corporations for the (a) common law offence of culpable homicide and (b) statutory offence of corporate homicide, and which corporations these were against."
Answer expected on 13 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to potential reforms of homicide law in the current parliamentary session."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions for (a) murder and (b) culpable homicide have been brought against healthcare professionals in Scotland in the last 10 years relating to the discharge of their duties or exercise of their powers treating patients, and, of these, how many resulted in a conviction."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 27 November 2023
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to potential reforms of corporate criminal liability."
Answer expected on 12 December 2023
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament