Skip to main content
Loading…

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Image description

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 not a member of any committees

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

Convener

17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021

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

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.

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: 4 November 2025

Future Farming Investment Scheme (Grants)

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "This weekend, my inbox has been full of emails—many from agents who have had less than a good experience…

Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025

Bank Closures

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

Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025

Energy Infrastructure Projects (Objections)

8. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what powers local communities will have to raise objections in relation to new energy infrastructure projects. (S6O-05089)"

Chamber meeting date: 30 October 2025

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee to set out the findings of our stage 1 report. The committee began its scrutiny of the bill in March, when we issued a call for written evidence…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 29 October 2025

Rural Support (Simplification and Improvement) (Data Publication) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/274)

The Convener: "Welcome back. Our next item of business is consideration of a negative instrument. Do members wish to make any comments on the instrument?"

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-19456

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution

Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, October 30, 2025

Result 70 for, 31 against, 11 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP abstained

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 44 Amendment 285

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Result 21 for, 91 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP not voted

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 44 Amendment 51

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Result 43 for, 70 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP not voted

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 44 Amendment 162

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Result 85 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP not voted

Agreed

Motion ref. S6 SP Bill 44 Amendment 7

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Result 24 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 16 did not vote

MSP not voted

Disagreed

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 reference: S6O-05089

Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Date lodged:22 October 2025

Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2025

"To ask the Scottish Government what powers local communities will have to raise objections in relation to new energy infrastructure projects."

Question reference: S6O-04994

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."

Question reference: S6W-40368

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."

Question reference: S6W-40367

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."

Question reference: S6W-39987

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."

Question reference: S6W-40369

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."

Question reference: S6W-39991

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."

Question reference: S6W-39988

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."

Question reference: S6W-39990

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."

Question reference: S6W-39986

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."

Share this page