Finlay Carson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Finlay Carson
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: finlaycarson.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson
Facebook: Finlay's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5890
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at local office
107 King Street
Castle Douglas
DG7 1LZ
Phone: 01556 504991
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Cross-party groups
Finlay is a member of 12 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cancer
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Circular Economy
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Civil Nuclear Industry
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ice Sports
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nature and Climate
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rugby Development in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rural Policy
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Science and Technology
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Shared Parenting
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Wood Panel Industry
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Finlay has 1 parliamentary and government role
Conveners Group
Member
Party Roles
Finlay does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Finlay has had 6 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 June 2021 - 01 February 2023
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Rural Affairs Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Member
17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Deputy Convener
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Substitute Member
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
Register of interests
Finlay'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.
Here is the register for Finlay Carson. The date of their initial statement was 09 June 2021.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until 30 April 2023, when I resigned, I was a Director of Conchieton Solutions, an IT consultancy firm (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). I received dividends of £2,000 on 1 June 2020 and £2,000 in June 2021. I estimated that, over the session, I would spend 5 hours per annum on this role. [Amended interest 28 June 2023]
Until 30 April 2023, when I resigned, I was a partner in J and F Carson, a farming and property letting partnership (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). I received £13,000 in drawings from the partnership in 2020. In 2021 I was remunerated by way of profit share and I estimated I would spend up to 14 hours per annum on this role. [Amended interest 28 June 2023]
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
No registrable interests
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
On 23 February 2018 I and my daughter attended the Scotland v France rugby match at Murrayfield as guests of BT Openreach. In addition to tickets for the match the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was approximately £1000. I do not consider that this meets the prejudice test but wish it to be registered in the voluntary section of my register.
From 14 to 16 August 2018 I travelled to Norway on a study visit to explore Deposit Return Schemes. The costs of the visit were approximately £689, £220 for hotel, £319 for flights and around £150 for meals, which were met by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (a registered charity that funds the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society of Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG). I believe that the interest does not meet the prejudice test.
On 9 March 2019 I attended the Scotland v Wales rugby match at Murrayfield as guests of BT Scotland. In addition to the ticket for the match, the hospitality included food and drink. I understand that the cost of this hospitality was approximately £500. I believe that the interest does not meet the prejudice test.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Finlay Carson 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.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 15 May 2024
Interests
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 13th meeting in 2024 of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. Before we begin, I remind everyone using electronic devices to please switch them to silent…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 15 May 2024
Ivory Act (Extension of Meaning of “Ivory”) (Transitional Provision and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024
The Convener: "We begin with consideration of consent notifications for two United Kingdom statutory instruments: the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Enforcement Regulations 2024 and the Ivory Act (Extension of the Meaning of “Ivory”) (Transitional Provision and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024. As members have no comments on the notifications, do…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 15 May 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
The Convener: "We will now continue our consideration of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill at stage 2…
Chamber meeting date: 14 May 2024
Action to Tackle Climate Change
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the member take an intervention?"
Chamber meeting date: 9 May 2024
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
7. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Historic Environment Scotland properties remain partially closed subject to safety checks. (S6O-03418)"
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Roz McCall
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 29 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 95 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Stand Up for Teaching
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 13, 2024
Supported by: Paul Sweeney, Martin Whitfield
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 62 for, 61 against, 1 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Result 69 for, 33 against, 22 abstained, 5 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Finlay Carson in Parliament
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
Questions
Questions Finlay Carson has asked
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to clarify additional measurements for monitoring improvements in (a) blood and (b) neurological cancer pathways."
Answer expected on 31 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to reduce the number of people with myeloma diagnosed through an emergency route."
Answer expected on 31 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with myeloma through the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service."
Answer expected on 31 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards have been advised of their individual financial settlements for 2024-25, and, if so, when they received this funding."
Answered by Neil Gray on 14 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 13 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether the increase in the National Living Wage from 1 April 2024 will result in an uplift for the Community Pharmacy Scotland financial settlement from the same date."
Answer expected on 29 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 13 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government, following the Parliament's agreement of the Scottish Budget in each of the last five years, on what date NHS boards (a) were advised of their individual budget allocations and (b) received their settlement for the next year."
Answer expected on 29 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 May 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Historic Environment Scotland properties remain partially closed subject to safety checks."
Taken in the Chamber on 9 May 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the reopening of Historic Environment Scotland sites."
Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 April 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to promote and improve rail services in Dumfries and Galloway."
Taken in the Chamber on 18 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS Scotland and (b) the relevant NHS boards regarding the provision of recurrent funding for (i) existing and (ii) future Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 April 2024
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament