Finlay Carson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Finlay Carson
Contact details
Contact online
Email: [email protected]
Website: finlaycarson.co.uk
X (previously known as Twitter): @fincarson
Facebook: Finlay's facebook
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5890
Text relay calls welcome.
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
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 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 Ice Sports
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Islands
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nature and Climate
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rugby Development in Scotland
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 6 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
17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Deputy Convener
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
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
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 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.
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: 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the cabinet secretary give way?"
Chamber meeting date: 27 March 2024
Point of Order
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer…
Chamber meeting date: 26 March 2024
Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2024
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I, too, take the opportunity to thank Foysol Choudhury for bringing the debate to the chamber and I pay tribute and respect to all those who are battling brain tumours and to those who are supporting those patients…
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
GP Surgery Closures (Highlands and Islands)
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Will the member take an intervention?"
Chamber meeting date: 21 March 2024
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Although I join in the minister’s congratulations on the efforts and work of his predecessors, does he not agree that that has led to problems with continuity—in particular, with parts of the bill such as those on snaring and glue traps—which has brought some uncertainty about the Government’s position, right up to the very last minute?"
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, February 12, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Clare Adamson, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 22 for, 97 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Supported by: Natalie Don, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 69 for, 49 against, 1 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Widening Access - Equality of Access to Higher Education
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 25, 2024
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Result 31 for, 69 against, 20 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 18, 2024
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 21, 2024
Result 85 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Finlay Carson in Parliament
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
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.
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 14 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide funding for defibrillators to be made available in all schools across Scotland."
Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 March 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on how many patients have been diagnosed with a blood cancer through Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answer expected on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve equity of access to Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services, particularly in Scotland's more remote and rural NHS boards."
Answer expected on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS Scotland and (b) the relevant NHS boards regarding the provision of recurrent funding for (i) existing and (ii) future Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answer expected on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing potential cancer patients to self-refer to Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answer expected on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of research published by the University of Aberdeen, which reports that cancer patients living in rural areas experience poorer outcomes, and what action it is taking to ensure equitable cancer care across all of Scotland's geography."
Answer expected on 15 April 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 13 March 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the arts sector in Dumfries and Galloway."
Taken in the Chamber on 20 March 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to complete the Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey on a yearly basis."
Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it remains committed to expanding the number of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services to ensure population-based coverage."
Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2024
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22 February 2024
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its final evaluation of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services."
Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2024
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament