Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
Email: [email protected]
Website: finlaycarson.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson
Facebook: Finlay's facebook
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
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.
Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Deputy Convener
Member
Member
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
22 June 2021 - 01 February 2023
Convener
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Member
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Convener
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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.
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]
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
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.
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 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.
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: 9 October 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the member take an intervention on that point?"
Chamber meeting date: 8 October 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the cabinet secretary give way on that point?"
Chamber meeting date: 8 October 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I thank my Conservative colleague and good friend Edward Mountain for bringing up this topic for discussion. My mother had a tumour in her bowel, went through the process and, luckily, survived…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 8 October 2025
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 28th meeting in 2025 of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. Before we begin, I ask everyone to please ensure that their electronic devices are switched to silent…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 8 October 2025
The Convener: "Our next item of business is consideration of a negative Scottish statutory instrument. Do members have any comments? As there are no comments on the instrument, that concludes our public proceedings. 11:18 Meeting continued in private until 11:40."
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Supported by: Kaukab Stewart
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025
Result 81 for, 10 against, 23 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025
Result 87 for, 23 against, 1 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 9, 2025
Result 52 for, 63 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Result 51 for, 25 against, 33 abstained, 20 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Result 85 for, 0 against, 26 abstained, 18 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:24 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what engagement its Marine Directorate has undertaken to progress any plans to reopen a boat-based cockle fishery on the Solway Firth."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:4 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of reviewing and implementing the recommendations of the Breast Screening Modernisation Board, and by what date the board's final recommendations, including those on data improvement, will be published."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:4 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish breast screening statistics for 2023-24, which were initially scheduled to be published in spring 2025, have been postponed until December 2025."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider providing match-funding for the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:4 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve access to defibrillators nationally."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce diagnostic delays for brain tumour patients."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring equitable access to specialist neuro-oncology services across all NHS boards."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:20 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to address any unmet need in diagnosing cancer, including brain tumours."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review current referral pathways to improve early detection of brain tumours."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 September 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the long-term support needs of brain tumour survivors and their families."
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament