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, Islands and Natural Environment 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 3 parliamentary and government roles
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch Executive
Member
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 15 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
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
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Education and Culture Committee
Member
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Public Audit Committee
Substitute Member
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
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: 24 November 2022
Renewable Energy Sector (Economic Impact)
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "I ask those people who are leaving the chamber and the public gallery to do so as quickly and quietly as possible, as Parliament is still in session…
Chamber meeting date: 24 November 2022
National Drugs Mission
The Deputy Presiding Officer: "I can give you some time back."
Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2022
Orkney Islands Council (Scottish Budget)
1. Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council regarding the Scottish budget 2022-23. (S6O-01581)"
Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2022
Primary Care
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-06899, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on protecting primary care…
Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2022
Cost of Living: Mortgage Rescue Scheme
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-06898, in the name of Mark Griffin, on the cost of living: mortgage rescue scheme…
Votes
How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
The National Drugs Mission: Taking Concrete Action to Tackle Stigma
Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Supported by: Nicola Sturgeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 24, 2022
Result 90 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
The National Drugs Mission: Taking Concrete Action to Tackle Stigma
Submitted by: Sue Webber, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Supported by: Stephen Kerr
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 24, 2022
Result 28 for, 67 against, 23 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP abstained
Vote Defeated
Protecting Primary Care
Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, November 21, 2022
Supported by: Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Result 66 for, 55 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Cost of Living: Mortgage Rescue Scheme
Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Result 30 for, 91 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Cost of Living: Mortgage Rescue Scheme
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, November 21, 2022
Supported by: Daniel Johnson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Result 72 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
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: 24 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve reporting of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) escape incidents."
Answer expected on 9 December 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents have been recorded of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) escaping from (a) onshore and (b) offshore power generation sites in each of the last three years."
Answer expected on 9 December 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the prevention of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) escape incidents."
Answer expected on 9 December 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is any duty on those operating in Scotland or its waters to report gas escapes, and if this is the case, what the threshold escape volume of CO2-equivalent gas for reporting is, in light of The Guardian article from 8 November 2022, World’s ‘most potent greenhouse gas’ escaped during…
Answer expected on 9 December 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to promote future take-up of the First Home Fund, including in rural and island communities."
Holding Answer by Shona Robison on 24 November 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what islands impact assessment has been carried out in connection with the First Home Fund."
Holding Answer by Shona Robison on 24 November 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to open the First Home Fund in the future."
Holding Answer by Shona Robison on 24 November 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 23 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Age Scotland's report, Keeping the Doors Open."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the impact of the Deposit Return Scheme on existing recycling services provided by island local authorities."
Answered by Lorna Slater on 23 November 2022
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 10 November 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the net environmental impact of the Deposit Return Scheme in island communities."
Answered by Lorna Slater on 23 November 2022
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament