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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

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

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

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

06 October 2016 - 04 May 2021

Justice SubCommittee on Policing

Member

08 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Justice Committee

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

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: 28 September 2023

Screen Machine (Funding)

7. The Deputy Presiding Officer: "To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to engage with Regional Screen Scotland regarding its call for funding for a new Screen Machine vehicle, in light of concerns that a lack of funding could lead to the end of the service. (S6O-02582)"

Chamber meeting date: 28 September 2023

Alcohol and Drug Deaths (“See Beyond—See the Lives—Scotland” Campaign)

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "I ask members of the public who are leaving the public gallery to do so as quickly and quietly as possible, as business is resuming…

Chamber meeting date: 28 September 2023

Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10595, in the name of Siobhian Brown, on the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill at stage 1…

Chamber meeting date: 28 September 2023

Scotland’s Future Energy System

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Dr Allan rightly pointed to the huge offshore wind potential of the northern isles and Western Isles. It is a huge opportunity, but questions remain about how best to realise that and who will benefit…

Chamber meeting date: 27 September 2023

Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill: Stage 3

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—SP bill 19A—the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments…

Votes

How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament

Find out how Liam McArthur 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 for

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 for

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 for

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 for

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 not voted

Vote Defeated

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-21912

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to implement the use of pre-recorded evidence in chief for all complainers in serious sexual offence cases, as recommended in the Dorrian Review."

Answer expected on 27 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21913

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any progress that has been made towards recommendation 4 in the report, Improving the Management of Sexual Offence Cases, particularly regarding jury note taking, plain language directions and the provision of structured "routes to verdict"."

Answer expected on 27 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21910

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an updated implementation timetable for the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019."

Answer expected on 27 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21909

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its most recent period of evaluation of existing provisions for the use of recordings as evidence in chief in High Court and Sheriff Court cases."

Answer expected on 27 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21911

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 29 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it still plans to implement the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 for all witnesses and complainers in cases that involve all charges specified in the act."

Answer expected on 27 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21745

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 26 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to apply its proposed Energy Performance Certificate reforms to traditional buildings, and whether consideration has been given to changes to the building standards or minimum energy requirements for such properties."

Answer expected on 24 October 2023

Question ref. S6W-21351

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 14 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government in how many cases family members overrode their relatives' (a) express and (b) deemed authorisation for organ donation after death, in each of the last 10 years."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 September 2023

Question ref. S6W-21353

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 14 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how many people made a non-directed kidney donation in each of the last five years."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 September 2023

Question ref. S6W-21395

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 14 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-06805 by Keith Brown on 3 March 2022, how many hours of purposeful activity prisoners had, on average, per week in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023, broken down by prison."

Answered by Angela Constance on 26 September 2023

Question ref. S6W-21233

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 13 September 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how many properties have received Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan funding, since the scheme was established."

Answered by Patrick Harvie on 26 September 2023

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