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 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament