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
Website: liammcarthur.org.uk
X (previously known as 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 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
Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
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.
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: 16 May 2024
Foster Care
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "I encourage those who are leaving the public gallery to do so as quickly and quietly as possible, as we move on to the next item of business, which is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-13031, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on foster care fortnight. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to…
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
Prison Population
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "Like Katy Clark, I welcome the early and constructive engagement that the cabinet secretary has had with Opposition members. Prisons have been teetering on the edge for months, if not years, with many routinely running over capacity…
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
Horizon Information Technology Prosecutions
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a statement by Dorothy Bain KC on Horizon information technology prosecutions. The Lord Advocate will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 15:03"
Chamber meeting date: 16 May 2024
Aggregates Tax and Devolved Taxes Administration (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur): "The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-13221, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the Aggregates Tax and Devolved Taxes Administration (Scotland) Bill at stage 1…
Chamber meeting date: 15 May 2024
Legal Aid (Stakeholder Engagement)
8. Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with stakeholders in the legal sector regarding the provision of legal aid. (S6O-03435)"
Votes
How Liam McArthur has voted in Parliament
Find out how Liam McArthur has voted recently.
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Roz McCall
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 29 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 95 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 61 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 69 for, 33 against, 22 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
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: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an equivalent standard to "certified normal accommodation" or "uncrowded capacity" for prison cells in Scotland, as required for cells in England and Wales, and, if so, how many prison cells in Scotland currently exceed this capacity."
Answered by Angela Constance on 17 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to remove existing plastic pollution from seas and waterways."
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring or assessment it has undertaken to measure the (a) amount of plastic pollution in seas and waterways and (b) sources of any such pollution."
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce the amount of plastic waste produced in Scotland."
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent plastic pollution in seas and waterways."
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any accessibility issues in relation to the inter-islands air service in Orkney and similar public service obligation operations in other island communities."
Taken in the Chamber on 23 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to redirect young people remanded for, or convicted of, an offence to secure accommodation where there is capacity available."
Answered by Natalie Don on 15 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many cells in prisons and custody suites currently exceed their maximum capacity."
Answered by Angela Constance on 15 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 14 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27215 by Angela Constance on 13 May 2024, whether it will provide a breakdown of the figures by (a) remand and (b) convicted population, also broken down by those aged (i) under 16, (ii) between 16 and 18 and (iii) between 19 and 21."
Answer expected on 30 May 2024
Asked by: McArthur, Liam, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any risk assessment process that is undertaken before detaining multiple prisoners in single cells in prisons and custody suites, and how many "high risk" prisoners are currently housed alongside "standard risk" prisoners across the prison estate."
Answered by Angela Constance on 13 May 2024
See all of Liam McArthur's questions submitted in Parliament