Former Member of the Scottish Parliament
Donald Cameron
Unknown party
At a glance Donald Cameron was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Donald Cameron did not vote in 117.
Voting record
The most recent divisions Donald Cameron voted in. For, Against and Abstain are as recorded.
Questions
Donald Cameron has tabled 1,854 questions in the Scottish Parliament.
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24281 by Fiona Hyslop on 31 January 2024, whether…
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24281 by Fiona Hyslop on 31 January 2024, whether it will directly address the issue raised in the question regarding whether it has conducted any analysis on whether its proposed increase in rail fares for 2024-25 could potentially lead to an increase in road traffic numbers in the Highlands and Islands region, and for what reason it did not provide this information in its answer.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2024
The Scottish Government has not conducted any region specific analysis, however we do not expect a significant increase in traffic numbers in any area.
To ask the Scottish Government how much ScotRail estimates that it would cost to improve onboard temperatures on its tr…
To ask the Scottish Government how much ScotRail estimates that it would cost to improve onboard temperatures on its trains, in light of reports of cold temperatures having been recorded on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 21 Feb 2024
This is an operational matter for ScotRail.
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration ScotRail has given to replacing the entire heating systems on its tra…
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration ScotRail has given to replacing the entire heating systems on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2024
The Member may wish to note that the reason for the low temperatures on the early services in the West Highland line is not a faulty heating system, but the time it takes for the train diesel engines to heat up. It would not be appropriate to replace the heating system which is not faulty.
In the longer term, ScotRail’s diesel rolling stock will be replaced by the greener trains as set out in the Scottish Government’s Decarbonisation Action Plan.
To ask the Scottish Government what long-term solutions ScotRail is considering to improve onboard temperatures on its …
To ask the Scottish Government what long-term solutions ScotRail is considering to improve onboard temperatures on its trains, in light of reports of cold temperatures having been recorded on its trains that operate on the West Highland line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2024
This is an operational matter for ScotRail, its officials however inform us that they are looking for some short term solutions to improve the temperatures on these trains.
To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail staff routinely record the onboard temperatures of its trains, and, if …
To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail staff routinely record the onboard temperatures of its trains, and, if not, whether it would consider doing so.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2024
The Scottish Government does not directly intervene with ScotRail staff duties, this is a matter for ScotRail as the employer.
Transport Scotland currently audit ScotRail under the Service Quality Inspection Regime (SQUIRe). The SQUIRe inspectors undertake a sample inspection of trains and check many aspects including train heating during its regular inspections.
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland has had any discussions with Scotland’s Railway delivery part…
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland has had any discussions with Scotland’s Railway delivery partners regarding plans to upgrade rail infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands region in 2024, and, if so, whether it can publish details of such plans.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop · 20 Feb 2024
Transport Scotland meets with Scotland’s Railway delivery partners on a regular basis to discuss works to maintain, renew and enhance rail infrastructure across the Scottish rail network including the mainland of the Highland and Islands region. Details of such works are Published in Network Rail’s Scotland Control Period 7 Strategic Business Plan (2024-2029) and Network Rail’s Scotland Enhancements Delivery Plan.
To ask the Scottish Government what assessments it has made of future prison constructions to ensure that they are buil…
To ask the Scottish Government what assessments it has made of future prison constructions to ensure that they are built (a) on time and (b) within budget.
Answer · Angela Constance · 26 Feb 2024
The Scottish Government engages regularly with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to ensure progress on prison infrastructure projects. SPS works closely with contractors and external advisors to ensure value for money, benefits realisation and timely progress.
Until the main construction contract is signed, costs and time-scales are likely to fluctuate due to site identification, design changes, and market condition changes.
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many leisure centres have closed over the last five yea…
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many leisure centres have closed over the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) year of closure.
Answer · Maree Todd · 28 Feb 2024
The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. You may wish to contact individual local authorities who may hold this information.
The Scottish Government places great importance on community sports and leisure facilities. They are crucial to the wellbeing of all our country and most importantly, for our children and young people to be healthy and active.
We have asked sportscotland to undertake a review of the facilities estate which will provide vital information in understanding the sport and leisure facilities provision in the long term. In addition, sportscotland and Scottish Swimming have recently published a detailed research study into the condition of Scotland’s swimming pools. The Future of Swimming Facilities in Scotland - sportscotland the national agency for sport in Scotland
We are fully aware that local authorities are facing challenging financial circumstances, particularly in the maintenance and operating of facilities, largely due to energy costs and other cost of living pressures. sportscotland will continue to work with its local partners to help them assess the impact of any potential facility closures across the country. In addition, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Sport and officials engage regularly with Community Leisure UK to discuss the local public facilities landscape.
In recognition of the importance of access to sports and leisure facilities, our Programme for Government sets out our intention to convene a working group, including representatives of sports organisations, community organisations and CoSLA, to explore how community access to community facilities, such as the school estate, can be enhanced.
Motions lodged
| 29 Jan 2024 | Scotland’s Place in the European Union | 0 sig. |
| 29 Jan 2024 | Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Producers Feature at Taste of Scotland Event | 26 sig. |
| 18 Jan 2024 | Scottish Opera Highlights Spring Tour 2024 | 39 sig. |
| 16 Jan 2024 | Welcoming the Positive Scotch Whisky Association Economic Impact Report | 37 sig. |
| 21 Dec 2023 | Oban Apprentice Wins Two Awards at Drax Awards Ceremony | 27 sig. |
| 1 Dec 2023 | Gigha’s Boathouse Restaurant Wins Good Food Award | 36 sig. |
Speeches
Recent things Donald Cameron has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I did not know that, so I thank Finlay Carson for that information. Given that much of the decision making around education is the responsibility of local authorities, it is down to the leadership of those authorities to make or break inn…
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I think that I can—
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I am firmly of that view, and Stephen Kerr sets out eloquently what I personally believe. I am not saying that Dunoon grammar is unique. Plenty of other Scottish schools have a similar level of engagement with their communities, and allow…
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I agree that having a breadth of subjects available is intrinsically important to young people. The member will know about the challenges that we all face with subject choice in schools in Scotland. My point is that the project that I men…
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I am grateful to Jenni Minto for mentioning those teachers. It is important that we get on record the names of not just the headteacher but other leaders in the school who have driven it forward. I was discussing community collaboration, …
6 Feb 2024 Dunoon Grammar School
I am delighted to bring this debate to the chamber to highlight to the Scottish Parliament the fantastic work of Dunoon grammar school. I thank Gillian Hunt, who is in the public gallery, for all her encouragement to me in lodging the moti…
31 Jan 2024 Portfolio Question Time
On Monday, The National newspaper—one of my essential daily reads—reported the latest shock defection to Alba, Ash Regan’s party: the South Ayrshire Scottish National Party Facebook page. Does the minister accept that, as his party’s case …
30 Jan 2024 European Union
Of course, an independent Scotland would incur huge costs and, like many of his fellow party members, Kevin Stewart is incapable of recognising the severe economic damage that independence would do to people in Scotland. There are not jus…
30 Jan 2024 European Union
I thank Jamie Hepburn for that very important intervention. Here we are, yet again, debating a hypothetical wrapped in speculation inside a misconception, to misquote Winston Churchill. As the Covid inquiry takes evidence at this very mom…
30 Jan 2024 European Union
The title of this debate is “An independent Scotland in the EU”.
11 Jan 2024 General Question Time
Last October, HIE’s chief executive, Stuart Black, told the Economy and Fair Work Committee that a projected cut of 4.8 per cent to HIE’s budget would affect its “ability to work with communities at local level”.—Official Report, Economy …
11 Jan 2024 General Question Time
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support businesses across the Highlands and Islands region. (S6O-02952)
10 Jan 2024 Asylum Policy and Legislation (United Kingdom Government)
I will just continue because I am running out of time, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to develop one theme that has not been covered: Ukraine and the supersponsor scheme. When the minister gave evidence to the Constitution, Europe…
10 Jan 2024 Asylum Policy and Legislation (United Kingdom Government)
My response to that is to point Bob Doris to the comments of his party colleague Susan Aitken, who said that she would fight plans to relocate more asylum seekers in Glasgow. I would like to develop one theme that has not been—
10 Jan 2024 Asylum Policy and Legislation (United Kingdom Government)
I am delighted to take part in this debate, but not because of the Scottish Government’s position in its motion. Its attack on UK Government migration policy was predictable and the minister’s conclusion was predictable, with its jarring a…
10 Jan 2024 Asylum Policy and Legislation (United Kingdom Government)
Would a future Labour Government—were the hypothetical situation to arise in which we had a Labour Government—process applications abroad?
10 Jan 2024 Asylum Policy and Legislation (United Kingdom Government)
Will the member give way?
10 Jan 2024 Portfolio Question Time
In reference to the question, which referenced “future publications on independence”, rather than commit to yet more papers on separation, which will inevitably end up out of date and in the political dustbin at a massive cost to the taxpa…
9 Jan 2024 Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee Report: “How Devolution is Changing Post-EU”
This has been a valuable and important debate, and it is a pleasure to close on behalf of the committee. I add my thanks to the committee’s clerks for all their work on the inquiry and to our advisers, Professor Michael Keating and Dr Chri…
Seat & career
- Highlands and Islands (region) Regional MSP · Resigned 6 May 2021 – 9 Feb 2024
- Highlands and Islands (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 5 May 2016 – 4 May 2021
Allowances
2024 (latest published)
Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)
Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.