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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: 14 November 2024

Housing Adaptations (Funding)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Wheelchair-bound Brian Gibson has been trapped in hospital in Stranraer for three months and is one of many unfortunate victims of delayed discharge across Scotland. Brian cannot go home and nowhere can be found for him to live…

Chamber meeting date: 14 November 2024

UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Misrepresenting the—"

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2024

Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs (Farms)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "What would Rhoda Grant say to my constituent Kenny Campbell, who has just invested over £1 million in a new dairy but is a cancer survivor…

Chamber meeting date: 13 November 2024

Rural Roads

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will Colin Smyth give way?"

Chamber meeting date: 7 November 2024

Brexit (Impact on Rural Economy)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I question the cabinet secretary’s being selective with her facts…

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-15423.2

Business Programme

Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 48 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-15423.1

Business Programme

Submitted by: Martin Whitfield, South Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Neil Bibby, Katy Clark, Rhoda Grant, Mark Griffin, Daniel Johnson, Michael Marra, Pauline McNeill, Paul O'Kane, Colin Smyth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 51 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-15401

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, November 11, 2024

Supported by: Tess White
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 66 for, 52 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15425

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 61 for, 0 against, 57 abstained, 11 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-15401.3

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Supported by: Paul McLennan, Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Result 60 for, 57 against, 1 abstained, 11 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-31088

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

"To ask the Scottish Government what the main barriers are to implementing visual checks for all dogs entering Scotland via Cairnryan ferry port."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31087

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

"To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain, what assessment it has made of (a) the current procedure in relation to stop and searches of vehicles entering Scotland via ferry and (b) Dogs Trust's calls to implement visual checks for all dogs entering Scotland via Cairnryan ferry port."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31082

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

"To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent data it holds regarding the number of puppies and dogs illegally imported into Scotland at Cairnryan ferry port."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31081

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

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to tackle any smuggling of puppies into Scotland at Cairnryan ferry port."

Answer expected on 20 November 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."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31086

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

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07415 by Mairi Gougeon on 29 March 2022, regarding the potential impact in Scotland, what assessment it has made of Dogs Trust's recommendation that the number of pet animals able to travel to Great Britain be reduced from five to three per vehicle, in light of the UK Animal…

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31083

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

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07245 by Mairi Gougeon on 18 March 2022, which agency is responsible for (a) the authorised pet checkers and (b) enforcement of puppy smuggling offences, at Cairnryan ferry port."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-31084

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

"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) consideration had been given to and (b) action it will take regarding Dogs Trust's calls to raise the minimum legal age for dogs travelling non-commercially into the UK to help tackle any illegal puppy smuggling."

Answer expected on 20 November 2024

Question ref. S6W-30704

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will renew its commitment to provide sustainable funding for the nationwide roll-out of the Scottish Care and Coordination Service for Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers (SCOT HPB), in line with action 45 of its Cancer Action Plan for Scotland 2023-26."

Answered by Neil Gray on 31 October 2024

Question ref. S6W-30588

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 October 2024

"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards about providing recurring funding for the Single Point of Contact (SPoC) pilot projects beyond 2024-25."

Answered by Neil Gray on 24 October 2024

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