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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 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: 30 November 2023

NHS Orkney (Government Assistance)

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Earlier this week, NHS Orkney was moved to the first stage of formal escalation by the Scottish Government…

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Baby Box (Single-use Items)

The Deputy Presiding Officer: "I call Kaukab Stewart and ask her to be brief."

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Terminally Ill People and Their Carers (Support)

The Deputy Presiding Officer: "I will take a couple of brief supplementary questions."

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Local Housing Allowance (Housing Policy)

The Deputy Presiding Officer: "We move to question 7. I call Stuart McMillan, who joins us online."

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Social Justice

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is portfolio question time and the portfolio is social justice. I remind any members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question…

Votes

How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament

Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-11496

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 30, 2023

Result 82 for, 32 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11381

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 23, 2023

Result 19 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11374.1

Business Programme

Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 52 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11376

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 87 for, 3 against, 25 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP not voted

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11351.2

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Emma Roddick, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 63 for, 51 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP not voted

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-23229

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

Question ref. S6W-23227

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

Question ref. S6W-23228

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

Question ref. S6W-23230

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

Question ref. S6W-23226

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

Question ref. S6W-23185

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…

Answer expected on 11 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23186

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."

Answer expected on 11 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-22800

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 8 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21911 by Angela Constance on 24 October 2023, what action it is taking in response to the finding by the University of Edinburgh's Child Safety, Justice and Recovery Research Group in its North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose Evaluation: Phase One Report, published in March 2023, that…

Answered by Angela Constance on 21 November 2023

Question ref. S6W-22767

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 7 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how many FTE dedicated mental health staff have there been operating in (a) prisons and (b) police custody suites in each quarter of the last three years."

Answered by Maree Todd on 14 November 2023

Question ref. S6W-22761

Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 7 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of police custody suites currently have full-time access to dedicated mental health professionals, in line with Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027."

Answered by Maree Todd on 14 November 2023

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