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
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 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 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.
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: 14 May 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "First, I congratulate my friend, Kenneth Gibson, on securing this important debate. It is refreshing to hear Mr Gibson talk fish, when normally he talks about the economy…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 14 May 2025
The Convener: "The next item on our agenda is consideration of a negative instrument. Does any member wish to make any comment on the order?"
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 14 May 2025
The Convener: "Welcome back. Our second item of business is an evidence session on the draft Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025. We are very pleased to be joined by a panel of five stakeholders to discuss the instrument…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 14 May 2025
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 16th meeting in 2025 of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. Before we begin, please ensure that all electronic devices are switched to silent…
Chamber meeting date: 8 May 2025
4. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with the rural affairs secretary regarding the potential environmental and biodiversity impact of the proposed Galloway national park. (S6O-04627)"
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 70 for, 45 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Supported by: Foysol Choudhury
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 15 for, 96 against, 3 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, May 15, 2025
Result 27 for, 87 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP not voted
Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Douglas Lumsden, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 12, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Result 61 for, 55 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Supported by: Alasdair Allan
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Result 61 for, 56 against, 0 abstained, 11 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: 30 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with the rural affairs secretary regarding the potential environmental and biodiversity impact of the proposed Galloway National Park."
Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 April 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be available to help infrastructure projects in south west Scotland."
Taken in the Chamber on 30 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-30074 by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2024, and in light of recent media coverage, including a video showing discarded fish on the seabed, how the suite of measures in place to manage fisheries and safeguard fish stocks are tackling illegal discarding."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 8 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the farmed fish sector has a non-binding industry code of good practice regarding the legal obligations for keepers and industry stakeholders under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012, and whether it will…
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place or planned to ensure that enforcement bodies and the fish farming industry fully understand and comply with legal welfare requirements for farmed fish across their entire lifecycle."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review or update the current farmed fish industry-developed code of good practice by replacing or supplementing it with official guidance that provides prescriptive detail on meeting welfare obligations, and, if so, what consultation process will be carried out with stakeholders."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on the maintenance of all rural payment systems in each of the last four years."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 19 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on IT staff in relation to all rural payment systems in each of the last four years."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how much will be spent on (a) the maintenance of and (b) staffing for the rural payments IT system in each of the next two years."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 1 April 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 March 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to its freedom of information (FOI) release FOI/202400430534, which states that it was "working towards a launch date for the Changing Places Toilets fund and we will provide an update in due course", whether it will confirm what progress has been made towards reopening the fund, and by what date it will…
Answered by Maree Todd on 20 March 2025
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament