Liam McArthur
Scottish Liberal Democrats · Scotland
“I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask. This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency. I therefore ask the cabinet secretary to offer congratulations to the organisers, Pete and Gail McAndrew, for getting the festival up and running.”
“I think that he said that it is taking place this weekend, in which case I hope that the weather holds up, as that could add something very special to a bluegrass festival.”
“I, too, thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of her statement, which obviously comes on the back of eye-watering rises in business rates earlier this year.”
“I have a constituent who, for the past nine years, has desperately sought treatment for swelling on his legs and groin that has progressively worsened and is now profoundly incapacitating. Having sought treatment in Scotland, it is clear that that is not available.”
“Jenny Gilruth: The Liberal Democrats engaged with us throughout the budget process last year and they were able to extract a number of things from the Government. I hope that other Opposition parties will learn from their good behaviour.”
“There are strengths in the current system but I accept that there are inherent challenges in relation to the issues presented by revaluation, for example, and the wider challenges that businesses are facing.”
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“I think that he said that it is taking place this weekend, in which case I hope that the weather holds up, as that could add something very special to a bluegrass festival. On the general point about Scottish traditional music, I remind members of the Government’s manifesto commitment to create a new national performing company for traditional music, which I think we all agree is exciting. I will be absolutely sure to engage with Liam McArthur and take advantage of the expertise of his constituents as we develop that new and exciting proposal. Teachers (Workforce Planning) 9.”
“I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask. This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency. I therefore ask the cabinet secretary to offer congratulations to the organisers, Pete and Gail McAndrew, for getting the festival up and running. Will she also acknowledge that sustaining festivals of that type relies heavily on musicians such as my good friend Douglas Montgomery, who was recently inducted into the Scottish traditional music hall of fame for services to the community? Màiri McAllan: I absolutely recognise the contribution of the folks whose names Liam McArthur has put on the record. I wish Pete and Gail McAndrew the very best of luck for the festival.”
“There are strengths in the current system but I accept that there are inherent challenges in relation to the issues presented by revaluation, for example, and the wider challenges that businesses are facing. It is imperative that the Government does all that it can to help alleviate those challenges and I am more than happy to engage with Mr McArthur on the substantive options that we will consider as part of the review.”
“Jenny Gilruth: The Liberal Democrats engaged with us throughout the budget process last year and they were able to extract a number of things from the Government. I hope that other Opposition parties will learn from their good behaviour. We have put in place additional support in relation to the transitional relief, which we know is benefiting approximately 60,000 properties. Those properties are paying lower amounts than they would otherwise have done in 2026-27. That funding is having a huge impact in that regard. We know that 96 per cent of businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure will benefit from some kind of relief in 2026-27.”
“I, too, thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of her statement, which obviously comes on the back of eye-watering rises in business rates earlier this year. Those rises have posed an existential threat to many businesses, including many in my Orkney constituency, which also face additional challenges from being based in the islands. The cabinet secretary will be aware that the Liberal Democrats worked with the Government on transitional reliefs, but there was a recognition that a wider review was necessary. Can she confirm that any review will look at how the rental-only value methodology can be revised for self-catering properties to enable a more proportionate approach in future?”
“Given the impact on his physical and mental health, which my constituent now believes to be a matter of life and death, will the First Minister, subject to me providing further details, look into the case and take steps to ensure that a referral can be made as soon as possible?”
“I have a constituent who, for the past nine years, has desperately sought treatment for swelling on his legs and groin that has progressively worsened and is now profoundly incapacitating. Having sought treatment in Scotland, it is clear that that is not available. However, with the help of his general practitioner, a consultant at the urology and lymphoedema clinic at St George’s, University of London was consulted, and they confirmed that the treatment, which he feels has a high chance of success, requires approval from the national services division. That approval has not been forthcoming, despite my constituent doing everything that has been asked of him.”
“We have a 0.6 per cent underspend, while Wales is at 1.8 per cent and England is at 1.3 per cent. That is not an easy thing to manage. It is like landing a Boeing 737 on the stamp on a postcard, or trying to land a Singapore Airlines jet on the coastguard helipad at Sumburgh airport: it is absolutely no mean feat. On transport, lower-than-expected rail costs and improved income have reduced resource spend and there have been delays in capital projects. We have our eye on that and those projects are on our agenda for the rephasing of rail and ferry infrastructure. We have spent a lot of time talking about that in Parliament and will do so in the months to come.”
“I thank the minister for providing early sight of her statement. Although I accept that underspend is an inevitable part of ensuring a balanced budget and that the money is protected for future spend, at a time when critical infrastructure is desperately needed across Scotland, £358 million is an alarming sum. That is particularly the case in the area of transport, where there is an underspend of £63 million, which includes a large amount of capital. That follows a similarly large underspend the year before. Why are we seeing such an underspend in areas where key upgrades are desperately needed? Hannah Mary Goodlad: I thank my fellow northern isles member for that question. Underspend is normal only in the bizarre context of the UK. Every part of the UK is underspending and we are actually the best in class.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address workforce planning challenges in staff recruitment and retention for health and social care services in Orkney. (S7O-00080)”
“Let that be the mantra of this place, of this session and of our national discourse. Let us honour the memory of Jo Cox by remembering that, as she said, “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”—[Official Report, House of Commons, 3 June 2015; Vol. 596, c. 675.]”
“That was another fine example of what we are talking about. As I have said, not all of us will manage to take the approach that I set out, and certainly not every day. It requires making a choice to be respectful and honour the other. I know that I will need help to keep doing that over the next five years, especially on the hard days, when I feel cynical and when opposing forces are pressing in. However, if we genuinely want things to be better, we each have to try. Before I entered politics, I was a secondary school French teacher in West Lothian. My former pupils will tell you that I had high standards for behaviour—they might describe it a little more colourfully than that. Respect was the watchword of my classroom: respect for ourselves and respect for each other.”
“I thank Jenny Young for taking my intervention, and I want to echo Michael Marra’s comments—it is an exceptional speech. She has drawn attention to how difficult this anniversary is for Jo Cox’s family. I had the privilege of working very closely with Jo’s sister, Kim Leadbeater, in the previous session of Parliament, and I found her to be someone who exemplified precisely what Jenny Young has been talking about. I not only put on record my thoughts for Kim and the family at this time, but highlight her as an example of how we can tackle difficult issues in a way that does not cut across our need to be humane in how we conduct our politics. Jenny Young: I thank Liam McArthur for that intervention and pay tribute to him for the way in which, in the previous session, he led the debate on assisted dying.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the installation of electrical infrastructure in Orkney. (S7O-00043)”
“As referred to in my amendment, a new customs union would help to reduce trade friction and would benefit small and medium-sized enterprises and communities, not only in rural and island areas but across the country. I urge the Parliament to support my amendment. I move amendment S7M-00290.1, to insert at end: “; believes that Brexit has had a deeply damaging impact on the economy, and agrees that one of the biggest changes that could be made to boost growth, fix trade and cut the cost of living would be a new bespoke customs union between the UK and the EU.””
“The amendment in my name highlights Brexit’s costs to Orkney, Scotland and the wider UK, which are estimated by Bloomberg Economics at between £100 billion and £200 billion a year. There are also costs to the European Union. I lived and worked in Brussels for around five years, and I know that there is a recognition of the mutual disadvantage that has arisen from this breakage. However, the future relationship with the EU is not simply ours to determine. EU member states have a view on that debate, but mutual self-interest surely depends on rebuilding ties. We have already seen positive signs, which are welcome, but we must go further.”
“We have a track record of delivering on quality, change and innovation but, too often, we are held back, very often by a one-size-fits-all approach to policy or regulation that is unnecessary to meet our wider obligations and ambitions and that I think stems from a sense of administrative simplicity rather than a sense of what is best for Orkney or the country as a whole. Of course, small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of places such as Orkney—there are very few large companies in those areas—and SMEs have faced shocks, such as those on business rates, which have been mentioned. Although action was taken on that in the previous budget, not least due to the intervention of Liberal Democrats, I think that the Federation of Small Businesses and others are right to call for much wider reform.”
“Support and funding will be needed but, in rural and island areas, that is often seen as some sort of subsidy, whereas in every other part of the country it is recognised as an investment. That investment is key for Scotland and the UK to achieve their ambitions, whether on the economy or the transition to net zero, which we have heard quite a bit about in this debate. Islands are part of what makes Scotland Scotland. That is exemplified in my Orkney constituency, where, pretty consistently over the years for which I have represented those islands, colleagues across the chamber who have been fortunate enough to visit have reflected on the can- do attitude of the people who live there.”
“In rural and island areas there is a specific dimension to the housing crisis that we are seeing across the country. We see the same issue with care, whether it is social care or childcare. There is the impact not just of the failure or inability to meet the needs of those who require care but of people who would otherwise be in the workforce being drawn out of it to take on caring roles because support is not available. We see the same issue with centralised procurement. I understand and acknowledge that that can have benefits but, in areas such as the one that I represent, that approach very often adds to the cost and crowds out opportunities for businesses to grow, expand and develop jobs and value.”
“If we look at many of the key sectors that drive our economy, such as energy, food and drink, the creative sector, tourism and space, we find that those are areas in which our rural and island communities can claim to be punching above their weight. Very often, however, the argument can be made that, as well as those communities are doing, they cannot fulfil their potential because they are being held back, whether that is because of the slow and patchy progress in the roll-out of digital infrastructure or because of a transport network in which we see delays in the dualling of the A9, underinvestment in the ferry network—and the chaos arising from that—and cuts in air services. I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for engaging with me on that issue, but it is holding back our rural and island areas.”
“I join others in welcoming the cabinet secretary to his post and I commend him on his first speech. Daniel Johnson talked about a hopeful start. I am not sure whether Mr Johnson has retained that hope since he sat down, but I welcome the debate that we are having on economic growth. Very often, such debates are framed in the context of cities and city regions. I absolve the cabinet secretary from that as, in his remarks, he recognised the role of our rural and island communities, which are often underestimated and undervalued, whether that is in terms of their contribution, ambition or innovation.”
“The junior inter county and North Isles sports may not grab the same headlines as world cups or Commonwealth games, but entry is free, travel costs are reasonable and there is little prospect of being left crying into your Corona.”
“Orkney’s young footballers, netballers, athletes, swimmers and hockey players will seek to retain the Stuart cup for a fourth year against their Shetland counterparts, who will be desperate to turn the tables. While competition is always fierce, this unique contest has created lifelong friendships and bonds between our island communities over the past 80 years. The same can be said of the North Isles sports, now in its 76th year, which will take place in Stronsay later this month. Westray will again be the team to beat—that pains me to say as a Sanday man—though the host, Stronsay, is the reigning champion in the blue-ribbon event, which is the tug of war.”
“However, it is not just about the elite level; it is about encouraging and inspiring people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport or physical activity of any kind—for the physical and mental health benefits, the friendships and social opportunities and even just for the chance to shut out the never-ending news cycle for a bit. Orkney 2025 was positive in so many ways, but seeing Orcadians feel such pride and joy in sharing their home with 3,000 fellow islanders was something that will live with me forever. It demonstrated the true power of sport. While the island games takes a year off before landing in Faroe next year, there is plenty to look forward to in Orkney for the summer of sport, starting with the junior inter county this weekend.”
“It is they who open up opportunities, nurture talent and facilitate involvement. I saw that at first hand last summer, when Orkney hosted the international island games— the largest multisport event anywhere in the UK in 2025. It was an outstanding success that showcased Orkney at its best with regard to the hospitality, organisation and overall quality of experience for all who were involved—including the splendid Orkney 2025 ties. It raised the bar for sport in Orkney and, no doubt, in Shetland and the Western Isles, too. It highlighted what can be achieved if we provide athletes, coaches and volunteers with the tools and support that they need.”
“I am alive to the pain and despair that may inevitably be just around the corner, but that mounting excitement points to the potential legacy that the Scotland men’s team’s success could have. For those of us who are old enough to be guilty of taking world cup qualification for granted, we are now witnessing the joy and disbelief of all those who are under 30 for whom this is wholly uncharted territory. The Glasgow Commonwealth games later this summer may not have the same novelty factor but, as we have previously seen, it too can inspire future generations to get active in sport. By active in sport, I do not just mean participating as athletes or footballers. Yes, to build a genuine legacy, we need facilities and equipment to be available and accessible, but we need coaches, officials and volunteers, too.”
“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 traumatising Jackie Baillie, I vividly recall being in the Nezahualcóyotl stadium on the outskirts of Mexico City to watch Scotland crash out of the 1986 world cup—the last time the competition was played in Mexico. A drab 0-0 draw against 10 doughty Uruguayans heralded our most recent ignominious exit and left me and the tartan army, resplendent in our kilts and sombreros, crying into our Coronas. I certainly share the mounting excitement of the nation, despite the best efforts of Trump and FIFA to suck every last drop of joy out of the experience.”
“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 provided in the coming days. The routes are lifelines for all three communities, and cuts will affect all those who rely on those services, including many hospital patients, which could potentially push up costs for national health service boards. Will the First Minister instruct HIAL to reach an agreement with Loganair that protects lifeline air services to and from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles as a matter of urgency?”
“I move amendment S7M-00159.5, to leave out from “Scotland’s energy” to end and insert: “local communities which host vital renewables projects deserve proper community benefit that would provide funding for short and long-term investment such as economic development, housing and cutting energy bills; further believes that the Scottish Government’s proposed good practice principles, which recommend community benefits be provided at the value of £6,000 per Mega Watt per year, will not meet the expectations of communities; calls for future ScotWind rental income to be transferred to the nearby councils so that those communities can feel the benefit of hosting national projects, and considers that new rules are needed for future ScotWind-style sales to protect the value of Scotland’s assets and attract more investment.””
“That will require the removal of barriers to transition, better targeting of support for training and skills, and investment in the development of genuine job opportunities. None of that will be easy. All of it will require detailed planning, long-term commitment and collaboration across parties and between Governments, but trying to achieve that while incurring the significant costs, delays and disruptions that would result from dismantling our energy market would be beyond difficult. I urge Parliament to reject the motion and to back the Liberal Democrats’ amendment.”
“On oil and gas, there should be no debate about the fact that they will remain part of our energy mix for years to come. However, there is no world in which we can continue to rely on the North Sea basin indefinitely. That is not a matter of politics; it is just an immutable fact of geology. The futures of oil and gas and renewables are intertwined. Polarising policy and debate might have political upsides, but it has few upsides for either sector or for our country. Any transition that ignores the needs of those on whom it will rely most heavily can only fail, and the people and communities at the heart of that transition must be fully involved in the decisions that affect them.”
“While the Scottish Government calls for more powers, the fact is that it simply has not kept pace with the scale of the change that is required. Even coming forward with an energy strategy was beyond the Government during most of the previous parliamentary session. In the absence of such a strategy, Scottish Renewables has called for clear statements of policy intent so as to give certainty to key sectors, such as marine, as well as to create the conditions for growth. Essential, too, will be modernising grid infrastructure and properly resourcing planning and consenting to support development at pace. We need to see both of Scotland’s Governments working collaboratively in Scotland’s interests, which Mr Gethins is well suited to doing.”
“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 infrastructure that, to be frank, is not about new football parks or community halls; it is about strategic investment in infrastructure, such as housing, which is in crisis in places such as Orkney. In the context of today’s motion, however, had the UK Government treated the Scottish Government as the latter is treating local councils such those in as Orkney and Shetland, we would have heard some fairly unparliamentary language, even from somebody as measured and diplomatic as the cabinet secretary. A different approach is required in the future—one that ensures that projects attract investment and deliver meaningful benefit locally.”
“Having sold off sites at bargain- basement rates, ministers have then refused to transfer that revenue to the communities and local authorities that are most affected. Helen McDade: Would the member accept that that money going to communities comes from other communities and that the subsidies come to the energy companies through a pool that comes off people’s energy bills? We are also discussing how people cannot afford their energy bills. It is nice for communities to get a new football field or a new hall, but the money for them comes through because those companies have so much coming from everybody who pays the bills. Liam McArthur: As we have already heard, the subsidies going into the energy sector across the board are wide and extensive.”
“Supporting the generation of cheap, clean energy is vital if we are to protect ourselves from the volatility of fossil fuel prices, but communities that host renewable developments deserve to feel that benefit, both in strategic local investment, such as housing, and in measures to bring down bills. That is simply not happening right now. I see that in my Orkney constituency. The islands have been a pioneer in the energy sector for decades, yet we experience some of the highest fuel poverty levels anywhere. That cannot be right. Addressing that situation will require an overhaul of outdated guidance, as well as engagement with rural and island communities. Lessons must also be learned from the failures of ScotWind.”
“Sadly, the Government’s motion seeks to simplify that challenge by framing it merely as a matter of constitution—but, as we have heard, ignoring the implications of fragmenting the energy market, which none of the organisations that provided briefings for the debate was calling for. A more productive exercise would be to look at the clear and numerous ways in which we can maximise Scotland’s energy potential while better protecting households and businesses. One such example, which is reflected in my amendment, is the need to take community benefit far more seriously.”
“Although the principal cause of rising energy costs may lie in conflicts far away, the impact on people, business and communities here is real and keenly felt, giving rise to a palpable sense of anger and anxiety. Irrespective of international events, it is also clear that the current system needs reform, whether that is by cutting the link with wholesale gas prices or by implementing a transmission charging regime that is fit for purpose. It will not be easy, of course. Achieving energy security, affordability and sustainability is among the biggest challenges that we now face.”
“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 in the chamber have, but I have known him for a good many years, and I like and respect him enormously. That respect has been diminished only slightly by the motion that he lodged for today, but, on a more positive note, his motion has at least enabled a debate that is timely, certainly on the back of yesterday’s energy price cap announcement. We all recognise that it means that bills will rise again, pushing more households into fuel poverty, against the backdrop of an ongoing cost of living crisis.”
“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”
“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?”
“Hello again. This afternoon’s first item of business is portfolio questions, and the first portfolio is rural affairs, land reform and islands. Public Transport (Island Communities) 1.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises a special duty to ensure the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s remote, rural and island communities; notes the view that addressing the needs of these communities requires policy that recognises and accommodates the particular circumstances of the Highlands and Islands region and other parts of remote, rural and island Scotland; acknowledges the challenges of delivering public services such as education, transport, local health and social care, policing and justice to areas with lower population density; believes that a range of local public services have been centralised or downgraded and no longer have a visible presence in many remote and rural communities; considers that the rural economy and rural businesses have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years with the farming and fishing sectors under real pressure and uncertainty, increased regulation impacting the visitor economy, and high streets and town centres struggling; believes that access to housing and affordable accommodation has become increasingly difficult in these communities, particularly for young people; recognises what it sees as the vital importance of connectivity to the prosperity of these communities, including preserving and expanding travel links by road, rail, sea and air and the need to plan for the future investment needs of essential infrastructure, and notes the view that building strong communities in all parts of Scotland will require a greater focus and consideration from across Scotland’s public bodies.”
“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 participate to press their request-to-speak buttons as soon as possible.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament notes the findings of the report, Strengthening the Safety Net: A Framework for Adoption Support in Scotland, which was published by the Cross- Party Group on Social Work and highlights what the group identified as serious and systemic shortcomings in adoption support services across Scotland; believes that adoptive families in communities in Coatbridge and Chryston, and across the country, frequently experience fragmented, inconsistent and inadequately resourced post-adoption support; recognises that the Adoption UK Barometer 2025 suggested that 78% of adoptive families in Scotland face significant challenges, with 40% reporting severe difficulties, and that official figures on adoption breakdown are believed to likely underestimate the true scale of family distress due to inconsistent definitions and limited data collection; expresses concern at reports that many families reach crisis point without timely access to specialist, trauma-informed support, respite provision or intensive family services, increasing, it believes, the risk of placement disruption and further harm to children and families; acknowledges that adoption does not erase the effects of early trauma, abuse and neglect, and that adopted children’s needs often intensify during adolescence and key transition points; considers that the transfer of post- adoption support from specialist adoption teams to generic children and families services after three years frequently fails to reflect the complexity of adoptive family life; notes the report’s recommendations for a national adoption practice model, improved training, mandatory data collection, minimum standards for preparation and support, enhanced crisis intervention and respite services, and greater flexibility in adoption allowances, and further notes calls on the Scottish Government to work with adoptive families, adopted people, frontline practitioners and local authorities to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive national framework for adoption support, and to ensure that families across Scotland, including in Coatbridge and Chryston, can access consistent, high- quality, lifelong adoption support, regardless of postcode.”
“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 request-to-speak buttons.”
“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 Commons on 5 November 2025, relating to clauses 4, 7 to 10, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 to 35, 39, 43, 48, 66, 75, 78, 80, 81, 87 and 90, paragraphs 1, 2, 8 to 14 and 16 of schedule 2, paragraphs 4, 8, 9, 12 to 18, 22, 25, 26, 33 and 53 of schedule 3, new clauses 61, 62 and 64, new schedule 1, the amendments to clause 7 and clause 90, and the amendments to schedule 3 (inserting new paragraphs 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A, 32A, 33B, 34E, 34F, 34J, 34K, 34N, 35A and 36A to schedule 3), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.—[Fiona Hyslop] 17:54”
“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 of Commons on 15 January 2026, relating to clauses 2, 50, 52, 54, and 55, so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.—[Graeme Dey] The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Railways 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 House of Commons on 5 November 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to filters, advertising for public health, technology in devices and intermediary liability for internet service providers, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.—[Jenni Minto] The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Armed Forces Bill 17:53”
“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 in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025, and subsequently amended, relating to clauses 15 to 29 and schedule 4 (online advertising etc of unlawful weapons: civil penalties), 31 (offensive weapons), 35, 37 and 38 to 40 (remote sale of crossbows and knives), 44 (duty to report bulk sale of knives), 50 and 51 (offence of child criminal exploitation), 66 and schedule 7 (child criminal exploitation prevention orders: Scotland), 67 to 69 and part 2 of schedule 9 (cuckooing), 76 (child sexual abuse image generators: Scotland), 78 (possession of advice or guidance about creating child sexual abuse or CSA images), 106 (pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation), 110 and 111 (technology testing defence), 117 to 121, 124(1), 125 and 126 and schedule 14 (management of sex offenders), 148 and 149 (offences relating to electronic devices for use in vehicle theft), 167 (powers for British Transport Police), 173 to 180 and schedule 18 (remotely stored electronic data), 181 (access to driver licensing information), 192 (proceeds of crime: expenses protections), 208 to 216 and schedule 24 (creation, maintenance and checking of barred and advisory lists for National Crime Agency/British Transport Police/Ministry of Defence Police/Civil Nuclear Constabulary), 248 to 250 and 262 (implementation of law enforcement information sharing agreements), 254 (criminal liability of bodies corporate and partnerships where senior manager commits offence) and schedule 22 (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002), so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.—[Angela Constance] The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time.”
“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”