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.
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
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
18 September 2019 - 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.
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: Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Result 64 for, 1 against, 53 abstained, 10 did not vote
MSP voted for
Agreed
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025
Supported by: Jim Fairlie
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 91 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 90 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP voted against
Agreed
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Result 70 for, 0 against, 50 abstained, 9 did not vote
MSP abstained
Agreed
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 24, 2025
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Result 108 for, 7 against, 1 abstained, 13 did not vote
MSP voted for
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:9 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will track progress towards net zero in the agriculture and land use sectors."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure equitable access to funding for land use change across all regions of Scotland."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that rural and island communities are not disproportionately affected by any land use changes required to meet carbon budgets."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential cultural impacts of livestock reductions on rural communities."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what financial support will be available to farmers adopting (a) methane suppressing feed additives and (b) improved manure management practices."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support rural employment through land-based climate action."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that any reduction in livestock production does not lead to increased imports of high-emission meat and dairy."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what role precision agriculture has in reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertiliser use."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to support livestock farmers in reducing methane emissions, in line with the Climate Change Committee's 2045 net zero pathway."
Asked by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged:27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it will engage with crofters and smallholders in the transition to low carbon land use."
See all of Finlay Carson's questions submitted in Parliament