Richard Lochhead

Unknown party

At a glance Richard Lochhead was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Votes cast2,480

Attendance85%

Voted For1,438

Voted Against1,020

Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Richard Lochhead did not vote in 354.

Voting recordlatest 15 shown

The most recent divisions Richard Lochhead voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.

24 Mar 2026	Railways Bill - UK Legislation	For
24 Mar 2026	Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill	For
24 Mar 2026	Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill	For
24 Mar 2026	Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill	For
18 Mar 2026	Approval of SSI	For
18 Mar 2026	Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill	For
17 Mar 2026	Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill	For
17 Mar 2026	Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill	For
17 Mar 2026	Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill	For
11 Mar 2026	Approval of SSI	For
11 Mar 2026	Approval of SSI	For
11 Mar 2026	Approval of SSI	For
11 Mar 2026	Approval of SSI	For
11 Mar 2026	Business Programme	For
11 Mar 2026	Business Programme	For

See full voting record

Questions2,448 tabled

Richard Lochhead has tabled 2,448 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for Scotland’s role in the development of future … 28 Aug 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for Scotland’s role in the development of future UK trade arrangements.

Answer · Michael Russell · 29 Aug 2018

We will publish Scotland's Role in the Development of Future UK Trade Arrangements: A Discussion Paper (Bib Number 59979) on 30 August 2018
The paper makes the case for a guaranteed role for the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament in all stages of the formulation, negotiation, agreement and implementation of future trade deals to protect and enhance the interests and priorities of Scotland.

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to help small businesses bid for public procurement contracts. 28 Aug 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it takes to help small businesses bid for public procurement contracts.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what powers local authorities have to tackle seagull populations on the grounds of healt… 8 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what powers local authorities have to tackle seagull populations on the grounds of health and safety or other factors that affect the quality of life for residents and communities, and what its position is on increasing these powers.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon · 30 Aug 2018

Local authorities are eligible to use Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) General Licences granted under Section 16(1)(i)&(j) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. General Licence No. 3/2018 authorises the killing and taking of certain wild birds, including some species of gulls, for the purpose of preserving public health and safety and for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease. Details of the General Licence can be found on the SNH website.
For situations not covered by General Licences local authorities can apply to SNH for individual licences to control gulls where they are posing a threat to public health or safety.
The Scottish Government does not intend to introduce further powers at this time.

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the impact of pylons or other infrastructure required to connect onshore … 8 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the impact of pylons or other infrastructure required to connect onshore renewables to the national grid infrastructure is taken into account when determining planning applications for wind farms.

Answer · Kevin Stewart · 30 Aug 2018

The responsibility for dealing with planning applications generally rests with the relevant planning authority, which identifies the factors to be dealt with in determining a planning application.
Scottish Planning Policy paragraph 157 states that Local Development Plans should set out the factors to be taken into account in considering proposals for energy developments.
Scottish Planning Policy is available to download from the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot .

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of community benefit from onshore renewa… 8 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of community benefit from onshore renewable energy developments, and what its position is on the case for community benefit to apply to communities affected by pylons or other infrastructure required to connect onshore renewables to the national grid, as is the case for communities affected by developments such as wind farms.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse · 24 Aug 2018

In the Scottish Energy Strategy (published December 2017), the Scottish Government gave a commitment to review its Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits (and Shared Ownership) from Renewable Energy Developments. Work is underway supported by a Steering Group comprising of representatives from communities, industry and other relevant bodies. The third meeting of the Group is due to take place in late September. Over the summer, a series of stakeholder workshops took place, attended by 69 delegates, to gather evidence to help inform the review.
The Scottish Government views the voluntary payment of community benefits from renewables developments as an opportunity for local communities to share in the benefits of their energy resource, and not as a form of compensation for perceived impacts. The current Good practice Principles have established an industry benchmark for community benefit per MW installed capacity. Adoption of the benchmark of £5000 per MW installed capacity is good, but not universally adopting and we continue to encourage developers to do all they can to encourage communities gain socio-economic benefits form projects and environmental.

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to Dr Gr… 6 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to Dr Gray’s Hospital regarding the future of women's and children’s services.

Answer · Jeane Freeman · 21 Aug 2018

This was a productive visit, meeting with staff from Dr Gray’s Hospital, NHS Grampian, Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) and the Keep MUM group on 3 August to discuss the changes to maternity and paediatric services.
Following those meetings I have written to the acting Chief Executive of NHS Grampian formally requesting submission of a detailed plan of how NHS Grampian intends to restore a full obstetric service to Dr Gray’s Hospital, with paediatric services in support. I have asked for this plan by 17 August. The plan should include a detailed timeline and milestones and be co-produced with relevant staff at Dr Gray’s, the Scottish Ambulance Service and members of the public, including KeepMUM. I have published my letter to NHS Grampian in SPICe [ Ref. BIB 59956 ].

To ask the Scottish Government whether it undertook a risk assessment regarding the impact on the Scottish Ambulance Se… 31 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it undertook a risk assessment regarding the impact on the Scottish Ambulance Service and its staff of the decision to temporarily downgrade women and children’s services at Dr Gray’s Hospital and the anticipated increase in hospital transfers and, if so, whether it will publish the assessment.

Answer · Jeane Freeman · 20 Aug 2018

The decision to temporarily downgrade maternity and paediatric services at Dr Gray's Hospital was taken by NHS Grampian in the interests of patient safety. A risk assesment on the impact of these changes on the Scottish Ambulance Service is not something which would be undertaken by the Scottish Government.
I visited Dr Gray's Hospital earlier this month and met with staff from both NHS Grampian and the Scottish Ambulance Service. I know that the ambulance service has been in regular contact with NHS Grampian regarding these changes.

To ask the Scottish Government when the new ambulance staff to be located in Moray will take up their posts. 31 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the new ambulance staff to be located in Moray will take up their posts.

Answer · Jeane Freeman · 20 Aug 2018

The Scottish Ambulance Service is actively recruiting to 8 new ambulance posts which will be based at Elgin Ambulance Station. A number of new students are due to attend ambulance training courses over the next 6 months and will commence operational duties in early 2019. Some of the Elgin posts will be taken up by these new recruits and the Service is also seeking to recruit already qualified ambulance staff to fill some of the posts and have had some interest around this.
As an interim measure additional ambulance shifts are being undertaken by local ambulance staff which is increasing operational resilience in Moray.

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Motions lodged465 lodged

2 Mar 2026	Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill	1 sig.
19 Jan 2026	Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill	1 sig.
12 Jan 2026	UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill	1 sig.
11 Nov 2025	Rosebank	1 sig.
7 Nov 2025	UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill	1 sig.
7 Oct 2025	Backing Scotland’s Colleges and Apprenticeships	4 sig.

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Speechesfrom the Official Report

Recent things Richard Lochhead has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.

24 Mar 2026 Bank of Scotland Branch Closures (draft)

I thank Clare Haughey for bringing the debate before Parliament. The closure of high street branches and all the changes that that means for people in our communities have been a feature of the past few years. Clare Haughey is an outstandi…