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
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
18 September 2019 - 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: 26 June 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Their relentless and noisy squawking and aggressive behaviour have made them a nuisance across Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 26 June 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Their relentless and noisy squawking and aggressive behaviour have made them a nuisance across Scotland…
Chamber meeting date: 25 June 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I oppose the motion to suspend standing orders in relation to the legislative consent memorandum on the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill…
Chamber meeting date: 18 June 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the cabinet secretary set out how she could use the marine fund Scotland 2025-26 to support the sustainable management and potential reopening of the Solway cockle fishery…
Chamber meeting date: 18 June 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Can the minister state whether access to NHS dentists has been getting better or worse since the Government’s additional funding was made available?"
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Supported by: Craig Hoy
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Result 27 for, 90 against, 1 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Anas Sarwar, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Result 19 for, 98 against, 1 abstained, 11 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Ross Greer, West Scotland, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Result 8 for, 111 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Result 50 for, 68 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, September 1, 2025
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Ivan McKee, Shona Robison
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Result 66 for, 52 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
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: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20 August 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."
Answer expected on 17 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review current referral pathways to improve early detection of brain tumours."
Answer expected on 16 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the long-term support needs of brain tumour survivors and their families."
Answer expected on 16 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider providing match-funding for the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence."
Answer expected on 16 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring equitable access to specialist neuro-oncology services across all NHS boards."
Answer expected on 16 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 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."
Answer expected on 16 September 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 July 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a significant number of people in Dumfries and Galloway moving from NHS dental services to paying privately for dental services, whether any funding that was previously used for NHS dental services has been ring-fenced for future reinvestment in NHS dental provision in the region."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 12 August 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 July 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how much NHS Dumfries and Galloway has saved as a result of any reduction in publicly funded dental services, and how any such savings are being accounted for within the region’s financial recovery plans."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 August 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 July 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a significant number of people in Dumfries and Galloway moving from NHS dental services to paying privately for dental services, where any funding that was previously used for NHS dental services has been reallocated."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 August 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 30 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Rural Support Plan."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 July 2025
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament