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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

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Finlay Carson

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day

About Finlay Carson

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson

Facebook: Finlay's facebook

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

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

Finlay is a member of 1 committee

Cross-party groups

Finlay is a member of 14 cross-party groups

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Autism

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Brain Tumours

Deputy Convener

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 Dyslexia

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

Member

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 16 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

11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Natural Environment

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Deputy Convener

18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Land Reform

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Climate Change

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Substitute Member

29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020

Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee

Substitute Member

28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Biodiversity

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Animal Welfare

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Digital Economy

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019

Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Member

26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Fisheries

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017

Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

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.

Chamber meeting date: 18 December 2024

Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the minister update the Parliament on progress to find a replacement for Asulox in the control of bracken?"

Chamber meeting date: 11 December 2024

Housing Association Aids and Adaptations Targets

2. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government how much it will allocate in its budget to housing associations, including to support them to meet their aids and adaptations targets. (S6O-04098)"

Chamber meeting date: 11 December 2024

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "A report by Quality Meat Scotland highlights that the continuation of existing trends will result in a 5.6 per cent reduction in the number of Scottish-born animals—it works out at 20,500 over the next six years…

Chamber meeting date: 5 December 2024

Dying in Poverty in Scotland 2024

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will Elena Whitham give way?"

Chamber meeting date: 3 December 2024

Beer and Pub Sector

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I thank Craig Hoy for bringing the members’ debate to the chamber. Like Graham Simpson, I have roots in the hotel and licensed trade. My family has been in the industry for more than 200 years…

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-15876

Education (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 16, 2024

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don-Innes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Result 96 for, 0 against, 21 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15875

Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 16, 2024

Supported by: John Swinney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Result 111 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15792.3

Delivering a Common Sense Budget for Scotland

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 73 for, 28 against, 21 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15792

Delivering a Common Sense Budget for Scotland

Submitted by: Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 9, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 94 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15809

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Result 73 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motions

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.

Question ref. S6W-32122

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact of adopting ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology on the trade of Scottish beef in Europe."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-32121

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact of adopting ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology on the trade of Scottish cattle and beef with England, Wales and Northern Ireland."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-32127

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the number of Scottish animals slaughtered in England and vice versa, and what assessment it has made of any impact of its proposal to adopt ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-31979

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 5 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether the funding announced in its Budget for Stranraer town centre is money that was originally committed to the town in 2011 as part of the regeneration of the former ferry terminal."

Answered by Tom Arthur on 19 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-32123

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to conclude its review of the use of ultra-high frequency electronic identification in livestock."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

Question ref. S6O-04180

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to invest in frontline primary healthcare to support rural pharmacies."

Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2025

Question ref. S6W-32025

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 5 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to the primary care sector in Scotland in response to the impact of the increase in employer national insurance charges."

Answered by Neil Gray on 13 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-32124

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any concerns with the reported lack of ISO standards around ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology in livestock."

Answer expected on 8 January 2025

Question ref. S6O-04098

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 4 December 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government how much it will allocate in its Budget to housing associations, including to support them to meet their aids and adaptations targets."

Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2024

Question ref. S6W-31085

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 November 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to calls from Dogs Trust to ban the (a) non-commercial transport of pregnant dogs in the last 30% of their gestation period, meaning more than 42 days pregnant, as a minimum, and (b) commercial movement of pregnant dogs, to tackle any illegal puppy smuggling."

Answered by Jim Fairlie on 20 November 2024

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