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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Colin Smyth

Scottish Labour

MSP for South Scotland (Region) 2016 - present day

About Colin Smyth

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @colinsmythmsp

Facebook: Colin's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6986
Text relay calls welcome.

Contact at local office

17 Buccleuch Street
Dumfries
DG1 2AT

Phone: 01387 279205
Text relay calls welcome.

Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.

Committees

Cross-party groups

Colin is a member of 18 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Animal Welfare

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Beer and Pubs

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on China

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Civil Nuclear Industry

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Co-Operatives

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Fair Trade

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Heart and Circulatory Diseases

Co-Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Japan

Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Malawi

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Older People, Age and Ageing

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scotch Whisky

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism

Deputy Convener

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Visual Impairment

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wood Panel Industry

Deputy Convener

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Colin has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Colin does not have any party roles

Previous roles

Colin has had 23 previous roles

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

17 June 2021 - 13 November 2024

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Member

16 November 2023 - 31 January 2024

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Member

01 February 2023 - 25 April 2023

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

22 September 2021 - 25 April 2023

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Substitute Member

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Economic Development

Scottish Labour

31 May 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Net Zero

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Energy

Scottish Labour

30 November 2021 - 10 April 2023

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

29 September 2021 - 01 February 2023

Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee

Substitute Member

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on External Affairs

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Constitution

Scottish Labour

01 March 2021 - 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Europe

Scottish Labour

28 June 2016 - 04 May 2021

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Substitute Member

09 January 2018 - 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Member

19 December 2017 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Telecommunications

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Infrastructure

Scottish Labour

04 October 2018 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Labour

02 September 2019 - 01 March 2021

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

19 December 2017 - 04 October 2018

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Labour

08 June 2016 - 09 January 2018

Health and Sport Committee

Member

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Health

Scottish Labour

25 May 2016 - 19 December 2017

Chief Whip

Scottish Labour

Register of interests

Colin's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Recent Activity

What was said

What Colin Smyth has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Chamber meeting date: 25 March 2025

Fair Trade

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Scotland’s status as a fair trade nation reflects a commitment to social justice, sustainability and global solidarity…

Chamber meeting date: 20 March 2025

Salmon Farming

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Finlay Carson makes an important point about the fact that the committee wants to see progress within one year, but can he tell us exactly what the committee believes are the measurable actions that need to be delivered in those 12 months and what process the committee will undertake to measure and assess whether the concerns have been adequately…

Chamber meeting date: 19 March 2025

Historic Sites

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab): "Dumfries and Galloway is being disproportionately affected by public access restrictions on Historic Environment Scotland buildings…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 19 March 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Colin Smyth): "Good morning, and welcome to the 9th meeting in 2025 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take items 4, 6 and 7 in private. Does the committee agree to take those items in private…

Economy and Fair Work Committee meeting date: 19 March 2025

Employment Rights Bill

The Convener: "Our second item of business is consideration of a legislative consent memorandum on the Employment Rights Bill, which is United Kingdom Parliament legislation…

Votes

How Colin Smyth has voted in Parliament

Find out how Colin Smyth has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-16923

Scotland – A Fair Trade Nation

Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Result 108 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16923.1

Scotland – A Fair Trade Nation

Submitted by: Murdo Fraser, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Result 107 for, 8 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16844.2

Children’s Rights and Temporary Accommodation

Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Result 53 for, 63 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-16845

Reforming Scotland’s West Coast Ferries

Submitted by: Claire Baker, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 17, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Result 58 for, 52 against, 6 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-16845.1

Reforming Scotland’s West Coast Ferries

Submitted by: Sue Webber, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Result 52 for, 56 against, 7 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motions

Questions

Questions Colin Smyth has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question ref. S6W-35646

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 13 March 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-34926 by Jenni Minto on 4 March 2025, what discussions it has had with the Respiratory Specialty Delivery Group within NHS Golden Jubilee to develop a pathway for (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 March 2025

Question ref. S6O-04508

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19 March 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to ban house coal, as set out in its strategy, Cleaner Air for Scotland 2."

Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-35295

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 27 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to reduce the full-time working week for NHS Scotland staff to 36 hours by April 2026, with the first half hour of this reduction taking effect from 1 April 2024, for what reason there are no proposals to reduce the working week in 2025, and whether it remains committed to fulfilling the…

Answered by Neil Gray on 11 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34858

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that the Scottish Prison Service improves the educational opportunities available to prisoners at HMP Dumfries by increasing the range of subjects on offer and improving attendance rates and the number of qualifications offered or taken up, in light of the recent report, HMP Dumfries, Full…

Answered by Angela Constance on 10 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34855

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 25 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that the Scottish Prison Service improves CCTV coverage in D and E Hall and creates Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for monitoring all exercise yards, in light of the recent report, HMP Dumfries, Full Inspection, 26 to 30 August 2024, by HM Inspectorate of Prisons."

Answered by Angela Constance on 10 March 2025

Question ref. S6O-04438

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 5 March 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to calls from Independent Age for a pensioner poverty strategy for Scotland."

Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34925

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to reduce waiting times for people with (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease since the publication of its Respiratory Care Action Plan."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34927

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve care for people with (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34926

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 12 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve diagnosis for (a) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and (b) interstitial lung disease."

Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 March 2025

Question ref. S6W-34857

Asked by: Smyth, Colin, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 11 February 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to prisons to protect staff from being exposed to toxic fumes when any incidents involving the illicit use of drugs occur."

Answered by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025

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