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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 12 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 Islands

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nature and Climate

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: 29 May 2025

Roads (A75 Improvements)

1. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the improvements to the A75. (S6O-04720)"

Chamber meeting date: 29 May 2025

Galloway and Ayrshire National Park Proposal

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I thank the cabinet secretary for the early sight of her statement. I declare an interest as a proud Gallovidian who was born and bred in one of the most historic and beautiful places in the world…

Chamber meeting date: 27 May 2025

Community-owned Energy

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "What protection do your plans give to communities that do not want any more wind power infrastructure or any more battery storage?"

Chamber meeting date: 27 May 2025

Common Ground Forum on Deer

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the minister join me in congratulating NHS Dumfries and Galloway, which has been working with Forestry and Land Scotland to get wild venison on the menu in its hospital in Dumfries, on being one of the first national health service boards to embrace that sustainable and climate-conscious addition to the diet?"

Chamber meeting date: 22 May 2025

Committee Effectiveness Inquiry

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the member take an intervention?"

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-17670.2

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 49 for, 66 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-17670

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 96 for, 18 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17669.3

A New Plan for Scotland’s Teaching Workforce

Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Supported by: Graeme Dey, Natalie Don-Innes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 64 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17670.3

Addressing the Inadequate Provision for Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Submitted by: Maree Todd, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Supported by: Neil Gray, Jenni Minto
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 65 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-17669

A New Plan for Scotland’s Teaching Workforce

Submitted by: Willie Rennie, North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Result 89 for, 23 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP voted for

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-37906

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to support the development of alternative proteins and plant-based food production."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37910

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to double woodland planting rates, in light of the Climate Change Committee's projection that the proportion of woodland cover will need to rise to 23% by 2045."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37897

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee's projection of a 36% reduction in cattle and sheep numbers by 2045, how it will assess the impact of any reduction in the beef herd on rural communities."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37914

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what role energy crops have in its land use strategy, and how it will support their uptake."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37908

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that agricultural emissions reductions are achieved without compromising food security."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37899

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee's projection of a 36% reduction in cattle and sheep numbers by 2045, how it will assess the impact of any reduction in the beef herd on the abattoir and meat processing industry…

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37912

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee's projection of a required 67% increase in the rewetting and restoration of degraded peatlands by 2045, what progress has been made toward meeting this target."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37911

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support land managers to integrate agroforestry and hedgerows into productive farmland."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37913

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that (a) woodland creation and (b) peatland restoration projects deliver biodiversity benefits alongside carbon sequestration."

Answer expected on 12 June 2025

Question ref. S6W-37903

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 May 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that low-carbon farming practices are accessible to small and tenant farmers."

Answer expected on 11 June 2025

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