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
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.
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.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 3 December 2025
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 34th 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…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 3 December 2025
The Convener: "Our remaining agenda item is consideration of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill at stage 2. As we have quite a few groups to get through, I ask everyone to be as succinct as possible when speaking to their amendments…
Chamber meeting date: 26 November 2025
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Both."
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 26 November 2025
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning, and welcome to the 33rd 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…
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting date: 26 November 2025
The Convener: "The next item on our agenda is consideration of the draft Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025. I welcome Jim Fairlie, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, back to the meeting…
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Result 50 for, 73 against, 0 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Submitted by: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, December 1, 2025
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Result 95 for, 27 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Neil Gray, Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Supported by: Tom Arthur, Jenni Minto, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Result 68 for, 55 against, 0 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Supported by: Angela Constance
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Result 67 for, 55 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, December 1, 2025
Supported by: Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Result 67 for, 51 against, 5 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
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: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 3 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what research or assessments it has carried out in the south west of Scotland to understand the environmental impact of recent or planned road improvement projects."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 5 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 November 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of any reductions in police officer numbers since 2020 on rural communities."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 22 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what powers local communities will have to raise objections in relation to new energy infrastructure projects."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament