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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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2,096,833

Hansard contributions

1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,096,833 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,655. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 09 Jun 2026.

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

For the record, while I was in the Nezahualcóyotl stadium, I was exasperated, but I do not think that I was sweating overly.

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

Made a request to intervene.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

I congratulate Mr Currie on his first speech, and I welcome the minister back to her position, which I know that she is absolutely passionate about. I also strongly associate myself with Miles Briggs’s wise advice at the beginning of his speech.At the risk of potentially traum...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

Loganair has announced plans to cut services between Inverness and Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. It cites a lack of support from Government-owned Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd as a reason for the cuts, which could get even worse if further reassurances are not p...

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

General Question Time · Island Communities

I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and I welcome her to her post. I look forward to working with her. In the past year alone, communities across Orkney and Shetland have suffered multiple subsea cable failures, including a month-long broadband outage affecting Or...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

General Question Time · Island Communities

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the resilience of island communities. (S7O-00006)

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

For the record, while I was in the Nezahualcóyotl stadium, I was exasperated, but I do not think that I was sweating overly.

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

Made a request to intervene.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Summer of Sport

I congratulate Mr Currie on his first speech, and I welcome the minister back to her position, which I know that she is absolutely passionate about. I also strongly associate myself with Miles Briggs’s wise advice at the beginning of his speech.At the risk of potentially traum...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

Loganair has announced plans to cut services between Inverness and Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. It cites a lack of support from Government-owned Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd as a reason for the cuts, which could get even worse if further reassurances are not p...

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

General Question Time · Island Communities

I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and I welcome her to her post. I look forward to working with her. In the past year alone, communities across Orkney and Shetland have suffered multiple subsea cable failures, including a month-long broadband outage affecting Or...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

General Question Time · Island Communities

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the resilience of island communities. (S7O-00006)

Liam McArthur LD Chamber

Scotland’s Energy

As we have already heard, the subsidies going into the energy sector across the board are wide and extensive. My argument is that the communities directly affected by such developments need to see the benefit not just through reduction of bills but through more strategic infra...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Scotland’s Energy

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your post and I hope that you find the role as rewarding as I certainly did over the preceding five years.I also offer my congratulations to the cabinet secretary. I may not have known him for quite as long as some members ...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Liam Scott McArthur, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Liam Scott McArthur, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Liam Scott McArthur, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Grampian (Savings)

That concludes portfolio questions on health and social care. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Grampian (Savings)

Always speak through the chair.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Accident and Emergency Departments (Waiting Times)

We can have a couple of very brief supplementaries, with brief responses.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Stoma-friendly Toilets (National Health Service)

We always discourage nicknames.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

I advise the chamber that we will struggle to get in supplementaries if the questions and responses remain as long as they have been.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Discussions)

Members have a number of supplementary questions; they will need to be brief, as will the responses.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Silica Air Pollution

A brief question from Carol Mochan.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time

The next portfolio is health and social care. I advise members that there is quite a bit of interest in asking supplementary questions, so, if I am to get them all in, they will need to be brief, as will the responses.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Community Right to Buy Review

That concludes portfolio questions on rural affairs, land reform and islands. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Food Security and Resilience

Question 7 was not lodged.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Direct Support Payments

Any farmer listening to this would be struggling to hear what was being said. Can we have less chirping from the Conservative front bench, please?

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Costs (Agriculture Sector and Rural Industries)

A number of members would like to ask supplementary questions. I will try to get them all in, but the questions will need to be brief.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Public Transport (Island Communities)

Question 2 was not lodged.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time

Hello again. This afternoon’s first item of business is portfolio questions, and the first portfolio is rural affairs, land reform and islands.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

That concludes the debate. I will briefly suspend the meeting, and I look forward to regathering with you, cabinet secretary, and a few other colleagues at 3 o’clock.14:46Meeting suspended.15:00On resuming—

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

Thank you, Mr Mason. As a resident of Burray, I can assure you that the linked south isles in Orkney are definitely islands.With that, I call Mairi Gougeon to respond to the debate.14:35

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

John Mason is the final speaker in the open debate.14:31

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

You have run out of time. Could you wind up, please.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

Before I call the next speaker, in order to protect the time available for each member who wants to participate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3 of standing orders, to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes. I invite Mr Halcro Johnston to move s...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

Before we move to the open debate, I advise members that the debate is heavily oversubscribed. I am conscious that afternoon business starts at 3 o’clock and that there will need to be time for the chamber to be prepared for that. Therefore, I will have to keep members to thei...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Remote, Rural and Island Communities (Sustainability)

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20849, in the name of Jamie Halcro Johnston, on the sustainability of remote, rural and island communities. The debate will be concluded without any question being put, and I invite members who wish to parti...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Adoption Support for Families

That concludes the debate.Meeting closed at 19:37.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Adoption Support for Families

I ask Fulton MacGregor to be brief.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Adoption Support for Families

You need to conclude.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Adoption Support for Families

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20902, in the name of Fulton MacGregor, on strengthening adoption support for families. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their r...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21168, a motion on legislative consent for the Railways Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Railways Bill, introduced in the House of Comm...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Armed Forces Bill

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Armed Forces Bill

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21167, a motion on legislative consent for the Armed Forces Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Armed Forces Bill, introduced in the House...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21166, a motion on legislative consent for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crime and Policing Bill

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crime and Policing Bill

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21179, a motion on legislative consent for the Crime and Policing Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

That concludes the debate on the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage 3.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I call the minister to wind up the debate.17:46

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

We move to closing speeches.17:30

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

We move to the open debate.17:22

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

I am rather relieved that you did not say that through the chair, Mr Eagle.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-21104, in the name of Jim Fairlie, on the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage 3. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons now or as soon as possible.16:57

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

That concludes the debate on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. It is time to move on to the next item of business. There will be a brief pause to allow members on the front benches to change over.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I call Daniel Johnson, the member in charge, to wind up the debate.15:51

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

We move to the open debate.15:28

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD Chamber

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-21120, in the name of Daniel Johnson, on the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak button, and I call Daniel John...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD Chamber

Climate Change Plan

As the co-convener of the cross-party group on Malawi, I welcome the announcement on funding for Malawi, but may I also advise the cabinet secretary that no one who I have spoken to in the energy sector believes that breaking up the UK is the answer to the maiden’s prayer? Nes...

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 02 June 2026 [Draft]

02 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Summer of Sport

McArthur, Liam LD Orkney Islands Watch on SPTV

For the record, while I was in the Nezahualcóyotl stadium, I was exasperated, but I do not think that I was sweating overly.

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

Our next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-00208, in the name of Maree Todd, on summer of sport.15:34

The Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs (Maree Todd) SNP

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. I am pleased to open the debate on Scotland’s summer of sport. It is my first debate since being reappointed as minister f...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

The minister makes an important point about inclusion. In rural areas, kids at school cannot get the bus transport to get to the activities and events, and t...

Maree Todd SNP

I will come on to some of the summer of sport activities that are particularly targeted at rural areas. As I represent a rural area, I recognise that challen...

Laura Mitchell (Moray) (SNP) SNP

The minister might be aware that many young people across Scotland, including pupils from Hopeman primary school in my constituency, will be taking part in t...

Maree Todd SNP

Absolutely. It was not until I travelled to France as sports minister that I realised that only in Scotland do we learn the country dances that we carry thro...

Miles Briggs (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Con

I welcome some of what the minister has outlined, but does she agree that it is concerning that the percentage of children who engage in one hour of physical...

Maree Todd SNP

The member will be aware that schools are expected to deliver at least two hours of physical education for all primary school pupils, and at least two 50-min...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

Will the minister take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

The minister is in her last few seconds, Mr MacGregor.

Maree Todd SNP

It is about ensuring that the child who attends a session this summer has the opportunity to still be active in a year’s time and throughout their life. If w...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

Like others in the chamber, I suspect, I remember the world cup campaign in 1998—hard to believe, I know—and the hope, aspiration and sheer joy that is the t...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Green) Green

We all know the evidence about the benefits of physical activity in helping to prevent and manage conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabe...

Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) SNP

I am a football supporter—a Kilmarnock sufferer—so I support the £25 cap on tickets. In England, television money dwarfs admission money, and clubs get much ...

Gillian Mackay Green

We need to do more work at the national level to promote Scottish football, particularly in the Scottish Professional Football League, outside Scotland, in o...

Miles Briggs (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Con

This is my first contribution since being returned to serve as a member for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region, so I will start by paying tribute to a nu...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

I call Victor Currie to make their first speech.16:06

Victor Currie (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Reform

Thank you for calling me, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your new place, and I congratulate the minister on her reappointment.It is a privilege t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

Liam McArthur will make the final opening speech before the open debate.16:14

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I congratulate Mr Currie on his first speech, and I welcome the minister back to her position, which I know that she is absolutely passionate about. I also s...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab

We move to the open debate. Members who wish to speak should press their request-to-speak button.16:19

Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) SNP

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you and your colleagues to your posts. I also congratulate my colleagues Siobhian Brown and Maree Todd on thei...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab

I remind colleagues that there should be no interventions or interruptions on a first speech. I call Colm Merrick to make a first speech.16:24

Colm Merrick (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer, and congratulations on your election to your new office.Generations ago, a young man named Patrick left Sligo and crossed the s...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab

To make a first speech, I call Irshad Ahmed, who has five minutes.16:31

Irshad Ahmed (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Lab

In my first speech in this Parliament, I thank the voters of Edinburgh and Lothians East for their trust in me. The Scottish Labour Party has given me a poli...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab

I call Alyn Smith to make a first speech.16:36

Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

It is a pleasure to see you in your place, Deputy Presiding Officer.I am delighted to make my first formal contribution in this chamber in this summer of spo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab

I call Steven Bonnar to make a first speech.16:41

Steven Bonnar (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

Allow me to welcome you to your new place, Presiding Officer.It is an incredible honour to rise to speak for the first time as the MSP for Uddingston and Bel...