Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
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.
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
11 August 2020 - 04 May 2021
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 February 2020 - 11 August 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
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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 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]
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]
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.
Motion ref. S6M-20844
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 19, 2026
Result 93 for, 29 against, 1 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20826.1
Submitted by: Douglas Ross, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 51 for, 71 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted for
Disagreed
Motion ref. S6M-20827
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 112 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20820.2
Submitted by: Daniel Johnson, Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 93 for, 28 against, 1 abstained, 7 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Motion ref. S6M-20819.3
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Supported by: Graeme Dey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Result 89 for, 7 against, 27 abstained, 6 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
Motion ref. S6M-20761
Motion ref. S6M-20759
Motion ref. S6M-20690
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: 4 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect and strengthen schools in rural areas."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has had with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regarding the potential for a respiratory Modern Service Framework to strengthen the UK's life sciences ecosystem by scaling up the adoption of new medicines and innovations for lung…
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care’s timeframe is for deciding on the second wave of the Modern Service Frameworks, and whether respiratory conditions will be considered."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has made of the (a) prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Galloway and West Dumfries compared with national averages in each of the last three years, and what steps he is taking to…
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what consideration the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has given to the role of a respiratory Modern Service Framework in reducing winter pressures on the NHS by simultaneously improving outcomes for long-term respiratory conditions and short-term respiratory illness such as flu."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 11 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government how its draft Budget 2026-27 will ensure meaningful infrastructure improvements in the south of Scotland."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on (a) rural employment and (b) local supply chains of the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, broken down by (i) local authority area and (ii) and rural area classification type, and what mitigations are planned."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence and policy objectives underpin the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, and whether it will publish all impact assessments and the consultation analysis."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what effect the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots is expected to have on conservation and land management associated with shoots, and how this aligns with its climate and biodiversity targets."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 15 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 January 2026
"To ask the Scottish Government what (a) gross and (b) net revenue it forecasts over each of the next five years from the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots."
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament