A selection of Viscount Thurso’s votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Voted a mixture of for and against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 4 votes for, 2 votes against, between 2010–2013. Absences for this policy may be affected COVID-19 restrictions.
• Consistently voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2015.
• Almost always voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 18 votes for, 1 vote against, 3 absences, between 2008–2013.
• Almost always voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 11 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012.
• Voted a mixture of for and against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2003–2012.

We have lots more plain English analysis of Viscount Thurso’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Viscount Thurso’s full vote analysis page for more.

Recent appearances

• Domestic Animals: Welfare - Question 13 Jul 2023

  My Lords, I return to cats and declare an interest as the property of a very sophisticated cat called Loki. Is the Minister aware of the problem of cats that are abandoned, particularly in rural areas, before they are microchipped, and the damage they do to other cats and wildlife generally? What can we do about that?

• Written Answers — Cabinet Office: Migration 9 Jun 2023

  To ask His Majesty's Government whether the latest net migration figures include UK citizens who have moved abroad for study or work and then returned; and what is their current estimate of those numbers.

• Agricultural Transition Plan - Statements 1 Feb 2023

  My Lords, on the hypothesis that the cause is indeed a novel pathogen, the Minister will know that in respect of red belly disease in salmon the original hypothesis was a novel pathogen, but the hypothesis now is an existing pathogen with a novel stressor. Has the review looked at the possibility of an existing pathogen caused by a new stress element? If not, why not? Does the Minister agree...

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Profile

Liberal Democrat Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 20 April 2016

Previously MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross until 30 March 2015 — General election

Entered the House of Commons on 7 June 2001 — General election

Also represented Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Transport
• Work and Pensions
• Scotland
• Treasury
• Defence
• Railways
• Parliamentary Questions
• Departmental ICT
• Civil Servants (Relocation)
• Tax Credits

Currently held offices

• Member, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (Lords) (since 13 Jul 2023)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee (15 Oct 2020 to 24 Nov 2021)
• Member, Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards (Joint Committee) (16 Jul 2012 to 12 Jun 2013)
• Member, Draft House of Lords Reform Bill (Joint Committee) (23 Jun 2011 to 26 Mar 2012)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) (27 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Chair, Finance and Services Committee (27 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Chair, Finance and Services Committee (27 Jul 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Finance and Services Committee (26 Jul 2010 to 27 Jul 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Business, Innovation and Skills) ( 8 Oct 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills ( 8 Oct 2008 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Treasury Committee (24 Apr 2006 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Administration Committee (12 Jul 2005 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art (11 Jul 2005 to 6 May 2010)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport) (10 May 2003 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Transport (10 May 2003 to 10 May 2005)
• Member, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (16 Jul 2001 to 12 Jul 2005)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Scotland) ( 1 Jul 2001 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Scotland) ( 1 Jul 2001 to 10 Mar 2006)
• Opposition Whip (Commons) ( 1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2002)
• Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport) ( 1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2005)
• Liberal Democrat Whip ( 1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2002)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport) ( 1 Jun 2001 to 1 Jun 2005)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Violent Crime Reduction Bill Committee (5 out of 7)
• Finance (No.2) Bill Committee (8 out of 21)
• Road Safety Bill Committee (9 out of 9)
• School Transport Bill Committee (1 out of 4)
• Traffic Management Bill Committee (9 out of 9)