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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

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

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: 26 June 2025

Gull Control

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

Gull Control

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

Parliamentary Bureau Motion

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

Marine Fund Scotland 2025-26

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

NHS Dentistry (Dumfries and Galloway)

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?"

Votes

How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament

Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.

Motion ref. S6M-18671.4

Priorities for Scotland

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

Motion ref. S6M-18671.2

Priorities for Scotland

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

Motion ref. S6M-18671.3

Priorities for Scotland

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

Motion ref. S6M-18671.1

Priorities for Scotland

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

Motion ref. S6M-18671

Priorities for Scotland

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

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-39991

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

Question ref. S6W-39988

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

Question ref. S6W-39990

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

Question ref. S6W-39987

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

Question ref. S6W-39989

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

Question ref. S6W-39986

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

Question ref. S6W-39370

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

Question ref. S6W-39371

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

Question ref. S6W-39369

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

Question ref. S6W-39056

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

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