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: 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: Natalie Don-Innes, Renfrewshire North and West, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025
Result 87 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025
Supported by: Tom Arthur, Kate Forbes
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025
Result 88 for, 1 against, 27 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, June 23, 2025
Supported by: Shirley-Anne Somerville
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025
Result 86 for, 0 against, 28 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Richard Lochhead, Moray, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, June 26, 2025
Result 80 for, 0 against, 34 abstained, 15 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Result 82 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 18 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 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Rural Support Plan."
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 July 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 26 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the eligibility criteria for tier 3 of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme support a range of actions, such as managing species-rich pastures, and do not only support tree planting."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 8 July 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent carbon leakage from agricultural imports as a result of any reduction in domestic agricultural production."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans are in place in the event that emissions reductions from agriculture and land use do not progress in line with its net zero targets."
Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37894 by Jim Fairlie on 3 June 2025, whether it will provide the information requested, specifically regarding what its position is on what role precision agriculture has in reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertiliser use, and for what reason it did not provide this…
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 16 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to move towards surgery for ovarian cancer patients being undertaken after three cycles of chemotherapy, for those being treated with neoadjuvant regime, in light of its previously reported commitment to achieve this by April-June 2024."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to reduce ovarian cancer surgery waiting lists across Scotland."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to reduce ovarian cancer surgery waiting lists in the south of Scotland."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee's projection of a 36% reduction in cattle and sheep numbers by 2045, how it will assess the impact of any reduction in the beef herd on the abattoir and meat processing industry…
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 11 June 2025
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 29 May 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will support land managers to integrate agroforestry and hedgerows into productive farmland."
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 11 June 2025
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament