Finlay Carson
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Finlay Carson
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5890
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
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
Finlay is a member of 1 committee
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Deputy Convener
Cross-party groups
Finlay is a member of 10 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cancer
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Dementia
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Digital Participation
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Future of Football in Scotland
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nordic Countries
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Pakistan
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
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Finlay does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Finlay has 2 party roles
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Natural Environment
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Affairs
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Previous roles
Finlay has had 11 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Environment
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Climate Change
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Land Reform
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Substitute Member
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Animal Welfare
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Biodiversity
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
28 June 2017 - 18 February 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Digital Economy
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Fisheries
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
26 May 2016 - 28 June 2017
Deputy Party Spokesperson on Rural Development
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
I am a former Councillor with Dumfries and Galloway Council, (of English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD). I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000, which I donated to local organisations in my ward. I spent approximately 16 hours per week on the role. I stood down from the role on 4 May 2017. [Amended interest 13 September 2017]
I am a Director of CMS Broadband Ltd, an IT consultancy firm (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). Prior to my election I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. I have received nothing since March 2016 and will take no salary during this session of Parliament. [Amended interest 13 September 2017]
I am a Director of CMS Broadband Ltd, an IT consultancy firm (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). Prior to my election I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. I have received nothing since March 2016 and will take no salary during this session of Parliament. [Amended interest 13 September 2017]
I am a partner in J and F Carson, formerly a farming business, and currently a property partnership (of Conchieton Business Centre, Conchieton, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4TA). I have not received remuneration for this role since my election in 2016. [Amended interest 13 September 2017]
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. [Registered 14 March 2018]
I attended the Scotland v Wales rugby match at Murrayfield on Sat 9th of March 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. [Registered 7 May 2019]
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. [Registered 7 May 2019]
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: 14 January 2021
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the cabinet secretary has taken up parliamentary time with one of his infamous rages, rather than coming up with solutions to what should be short-term issues…
Chamber meeting date: 14 January 2021
4. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in tackling fly-tipping. (S5O-04916)"
Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 13 January 2021
Finlay Carson: "I again thank the committee for the broad non-party-political position that it has taken. That position reflects that of the communities that the A75 and A77 are routed through…
Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 13 January 2021
Rural Scotland (Healthcare Needs) (PE1845)
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the petition, which I very much support…
Chamber meeting date: 23 December 2020
1. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on closing the attainment gap between pupils from the most and least deprived backgrounds. (S5O-04873)"
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Ruth Davidson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 30 for, 94 against, 0 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow Southside, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Supported by: Michael Russell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 92 for, 30 against, 1 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union
Submitted by: Richard Leonard, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Supported by: Anas Sarwar
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Result 94 for, 30 against, 0 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 21, 2020
Supported by: Jenny Gilruth, Michael Russell
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Result 33 for, 86 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Motions
Motions made by Finlay Carson in Parliament
Find out what motions Finlay Carson has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Finlay Carson has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 16 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on closing the attainment gap between pupils from the most and least deprived backgrounds."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the courts system to allow criminal jury trials to proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the UK Government with its review of transport infrastructure."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 2 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend free dental treatment to women for a year after the birth of their child, in light of the impact of COVID-19 on accessing treatment."
Answered by: Joe FitzPatrick on 11 November 2020
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 26 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether the system that is currently being used for the roll-out of the flu vaccination programme will also be used for the roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine once one is available."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 9 November 2020
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the scientific and medical evidence on which the most recent COVID-19 restrictions are based."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 9 November 2020
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 6 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, whether it will provide an update on what funding streams are available to assist squash clubs."
Answered by: Joe FitzPatrick on 2 November 2020
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 1 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what measures it plans to introduce to assist local and community sports clubs in allowing spectators back in, and what financial measures will be implemented to help mitigate the impact of lost revenue due to spectators not being permitted to attend games."
Answered by: Joe FitzPatrick on 27 October 2020
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 21 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Growth Scheme."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 September 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the further restrictions imposed on 23 September 2020, what plans it has to introduce testing for staff working in supported living accommodation that is regulated by the Care Inspectorate."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020
See all of Finlay Carson's written questions submitted in Parliament