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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

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

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 Cancer

Member

Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Circular Economy

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 Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism

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 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.

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Regeneration and Economic Renewal Projects (South of Scotland)

5. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for regeneration and economic renewal projects in the south of Scotland. (S6O-02826)"

Chamber meeting date: 30 November 2023

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "As convener of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, I am pleased to speak to the committee’s report on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill…

Chamber meeting date: 29 November 2023

Agricultural Funding (Engagement with United Kingdom Government)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Sixty-one million pounds of ring-fenced money that was allocated to the Scottish Government by the United Kingdom Government has been withdrawn. The scale of the Scottish Government’s hypocrisy has no bounds…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 29 November 2023

Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning and welcome to the 31st meeting of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in 2023. Before we begin, I remind all those using electronic devices to switch them to silent…

Chamber meeting date: 23 November 2023

Fossil Fuel Boilers (Replacement)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "On 14 September, the First Minister told the chamber that the climate change plan would be published before Christmas…

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-11496

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 30, 2023

Result 82 for, 32 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11381

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill

Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, November 23, 2023

Result 19 for, 90 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote

MSP voted against

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11374.1

Business Programme

Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 52 for, 64 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote

MSP voted for

Vote Defeated

Motion ref. S6M-11376

Approval of SSI

Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 87 for, 3 against, 25 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP abstained

Vote Passed

Motion ref. S6M-11351.2

Scotland’s Housing Emergency

Submitted by: Paul McLennan, East Lothian, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Emma Roddick, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Result 63 for, 51 against, 0 abstained, 15 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-23467

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to identify an alternative to using Asulox as a method of bracken control."

Answer expected on 15 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23370

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how much Peatland ACTION spent within Dumfries and Galloway in the current financial year, expressed both in monetary terms and as a percentage of overall spend."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23368

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to Peatland ACTION projects, for what reason the prior information notice (PIN) process is used rather than the contract notice and contract award notice process."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23372

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria Peatland ACTION uses to vet the design of peatland restoration plans."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23369

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of NatureScot's budget attributed to peatland restoration is delivered via Peatland ACTION projects."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23371

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what process Peatland ACTION follows when vetting applicants for funding."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23373

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what criteria Peatland ACTION uses for selecting contractors in relation to peatland restoration."

Answer expected on 14 December 2023

Question ref. S6O-02856

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to accelerate new woodland creation in order to meet its targets."

Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23172

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on when the ripening and spawning season for razor clams takes place in Scottish waters."

Answer expected on 8 December 2023

Question ref. S6W-23171

Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 November 2023

"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend the current scientific trial regarding razor clams to include a closed season during their ripening and spawning season in Scottish waters."

Answer expected on 8 December 2023

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