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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 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.

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: 2 October 2025

Dog Theft (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 about our stage 1 scrutiny of Maurice Golden’s Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill…

Chamber meeting date: 1 October 2025

Cockle Fishery (Solway Firth)

1. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "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. (S6O-04994)"

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 1 October 2025

Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025

The Convener: "I welcome to the meeting the first of two stakeholder panels: Calum Duncan, Scottish Environment LINK; Professor James Harrison, University of Edinburgh; Phil Taylor, Open Seas; and Caitlin Turner, Young Sea Changers Scotland…

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 1 October 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private

The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 27th meeting in 2025 of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. Before we begin, I ask everyone to ensure that their electronic devices are switched to silent…

Chamber meeting date: 25 September 2025

Decision Time

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote; I would have voted no."

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-19123

Mobile Phones in Schools

Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, September 29, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Result 85 for, 26 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19124.1

Protecting Scotland’s Fire Service

Submitted by: Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Result 54 for, 56 against, 2 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Motion ref. S6M-19124

Protecting Scotland’s Fire Service

Submitted by: Katy Clark, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, September 29, 2025

Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Result 56 for, 53 against, 3 abstained, 17 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19124.2

Protecting Scotland’s Fire Service

Submitted by: Siobhian Brown, Ayr, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Supported by: Angela Constance
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Result 55 for, 52 against, 3 abstained, 19 did not vote

MSP voted against

Agreed

Motion ref. S6M-19123.1

Mobile Phones in Schools

Submitted by: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Result 49 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote

MSP voted for

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-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-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-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-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-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-39989

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."

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."

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."

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