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 at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5815
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
14 Palace Road
Kirkwall
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 3 committees
Education and Skills Committee
Substitute Member
Justice Committee
Member
Cross-party groups
Liam is a member of 19 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Architecture and the Built Environment
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Colleges and Universities
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Digital Participation
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on End of Life Choices
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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 Oil and Gas
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Prevention and Healing of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Science and Technology
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Taiwan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Women's Justice
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Liam has 2 parliamentary and government roles
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Appointed Member
Presiding Officer's Advisory Group
Member
Party Roles
Liam has 2 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Previous roles
Liam has had 13 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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
23 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Public Audit Committee
Substitute Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Education and Culture Committee
Member
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Liberal Democrats
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
Member
03 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Finance Committee
Substitute Member
01 September 2008 - 22 March 2011
Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Liberal Democrats
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 Tourism
Scottish Liberal Democrats
24 May 2007 - 01 September 2008
Party Spokesperson on Enterprise
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 17 May 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
On Saturday 25 November 2017 I attended the Scotland v Australia Autumn Tests match as a guest of the Scottish Rugby Union (the governing body and promoter of Scottish rugby union, of Murrayfield, Edinburgh, EH12 5PJ). The Scottish Rugby Union provided two match tickets and hospitality, the combined value of which is estimated by the SRU to be around £1000. [Registered 12 December 2017]
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. Further accommodation, of a value below the threshold for registration in the Gifts category, was provided by Oil and Gas UK and has been registered in the Voluntary category.
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.
In October 2010 I became a patron of Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advice Services. OACAS is a charitable company that forms part of the network of local alcohol agencies in Scotland affiliated to Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS). It provides one-to-one counselling and an education service. My role involves representing and highlighting the work of OACAS and is unremunerated.
I am a Girl Guide Ambassador.
From 10 to 14 June 2014 I visited the Republic of Malawi on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Scotland branch to take part in a post-election seminar for newly elected members to the National Assembly of Malawi. Travel and accommodation costs were met by the CPA Secretariat. The CPA Scotland branch Executive Committee and the SPCB approved additional costs associated with internal transport and other business related costs in advance of the visit. At the end of the seminar, the CPA gave me the sum of £660 which represented the per diem to all participants to cover additional expenses at the seminar. I did not spend all of this sum and returned the balance (approximately £360) to the CPA Scotland branch to put towards other branch activities.
On 27 October 2011 I received hotel accommodation in Aberdeen from Oil and Gas UK (the trade association for the offshore oil and gas industry). The costs to Oil and Gas UK are below the threshold for registration in the gifts category. The accommodation was received in connection with a trip to an offshore oil and gas installation to learn more about the industry and how it operates. Other costs in relation to this trip were met by Total E&P UK and have been registered in the gifts category.
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: 14 January 2021
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Following my discussion with the finance secretary last week, I thank her for accepting the case for additional funding to allow businesses in level 3 areas such as Orkney access to the same support that is available to level 4 businesses from the strategic fund. However, is she able to allay fears among businesses in my constituency by confirming…
Finance and Constitution Committee meeting date: 13 January 2021
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Budget 2021-22
Liam McArthur MSP (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body): "Good morning to you, convener, and the committee. With the presence of Anas Sarwar, Fulton MacGregor and Gillian Martin, I feel almost like a Finance and Constitution Committee veteran in comparison. Happy new year to you all…
COVID-19 Committee meeting date: 23 December 2020
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Thanks, convener. I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, but I am not aware of any interests that would be directly relevant to the work of the committee…
Chamber meeting date: 23 December 2020
Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I, too, thank the minister, members, clerks and officials, who have worked so hard to bring us to this point, at breakneck speed…
Chamber meeting date: 22 December 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "I join Tom Arthur in congratulating Angela Constance on her reappointment as a minister and wishing her well in that important role…
Votes
How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Ruth Davidson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 30 for, 94 against, 0 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow Southside, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Supported by: Michael Russell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 92 for, 30 against, 1 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Supported by: Anas Sarwar
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 94 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 21, 2020
Supported by: Jenny Gilruth, Michael Russell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Result 33 for, 86 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Liam McArthur in Parliament
Find out what motions Liam McArthur has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Liam McArthur has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 9 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government when care-dependent people who live at home will receive the COVID-19 vaccine."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 23 December 2020
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 3 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest time it has taken for an ambulance call out to arrive at an incident in each month since January 2020, broken down by Scottish Ambulance Service Regional Operational Division, also broken down by what proportion of the calls each month this represented."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 18 December 2020
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 11 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26441 by Michael Matheson on 3 December 2019, when it expects to make a formal announcement on the continuation of the Air Discount Scheme post-December 2020."
Answered by: Michael Matheson on 17 December 2020
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the most recently-published estimate of £10…
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the islands impact assessment into the proposals by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) for centralising air traffic services in the Highlands and Islands to be published."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31906 by Michael Matheson on 28 September 2020, whether it will confirm when the community engagement and consultation phase was completed."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29597 by Michael Matheson on 17 June 2020, when it expects all submissions and relevant correspondence in relation to the islands impact assessment being carried out for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited’s (HIAL) Air Traffic Management Strategy to be published on the…
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29596 by Michael Matheson on 17 June 2020, whether it will confirm which community groups were consulted as part of the islands impact assessment being carried out for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited’s (HIAL) Air Traffic Management Strategy."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 4 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-31753 and S5W-32327 by Fergus Ewing on 16 September and 30 October 2020 respectively, whether it will provide an update on its work towards the publication of the final report of the Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group since the last group meeting in October 2020;…
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 16 December 2020
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 14 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) prisoners and (b) people who are being detained in Scotland for any other reason will be included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in accordance with the priorities set for the population as a whole."
Awaiting answer
See all of Liam McArthur's written questions submitted in Parliament