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 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
Finlay is not a member of any committees
Cross-party groups
Finlay is a member of 12 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Ireland
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Shared Parenting
Deputy Convener
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 5 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
17 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Member
17 September 2019 - 04 May 2021
Deputy Convener
18 September 2019 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
29 June 2017 - 25 February 2020
Substitute Member
08 June 2016 - 17 September 2019
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
I am 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 will be remunerated by way of profit share and I estimate I will spend up to 14 hours per annum on this role.
I am 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 estimate that, over the next session, I will spend 5 hours per annum on this role.
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
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.
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: 19 May 2022
Regional Food Fund
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "NFU Scotland has called for a greater commitment to funding the sustainable agriculture capital grant scheme to assist farmers to use resources more efficiently, and for the temporary suspension of the ecological focus areas component of the 2022 greening requirement in order to bring additional arable land back into productive use, with a focus on…
Chamber meeting date: 19 May 2022
Regional Food Fund
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "NFU Scotland has called for a greater commitment to funding the sustainable agriculture capital grant scheme to assist farmers to use resources more efficiently, and for the temporary suspension of the ecological focus areas component of the 2022 greening requirement in order to bring additional arable land back into productive use, with a focus on…
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee meeting date: 18 May 2022
Decision on Taking Business in Private
The Convener (Finlay Carson): "Good morning and welcome to the 16th meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. I remind everyone who is using electronic devices to switch them to silent…
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee meeting date: 18 May 2022
Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2022 [Draft]
The Convener: "Item 2 is evidence from the cabinet secretary on the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2022. The instrument is subject to the affirmative procedure. I refer members to paper 1…
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee meeting date: 18 May 2022
Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022 (SSI 2022/131)
The Convener: "Item 4 is consideration of a negative instrument. I refer members to paper 2. Does any member have any comments on the instrument?"
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Supported by: Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 21 for, 97 against, 3 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Donald Cameron, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Dean Lockhart, Douglas Lumsden, Edward Mountain, Oliver Mundell, Douglas Ross, Graham Simpson, Liz Smith, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 53 for, 68 against, 0 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Revision to Business Programme
Submitted by: George Adam, Paisley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 96 for, 24 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Supported by: Maree Todd, Humza Yousaf
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 68 for, 54 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Keeping Care Close to Home and Improving Outcomes
Submitted by: Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, May 23, 2022
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Result 33 for, 86 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
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: 22 April 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what research it is carrying out on the potential impact of (a) increases in land prices on rural communities, in light of reports of people buying farmland to get closer to nature, increase tree planting and for renewable energy schemes, and (b) a concentration of land ownership on local communities."
Answered by: Mairi McAllan on 9 May 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 24 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be made available for rural transport infrastructure."
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 14 April 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the television and radio schedules relating to The Living Safely this Winter campaign across all stations and channels."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 4 April 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 23 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the Dogs Trust's National Dog Survey that over 97% of dog owners own three or fewer dogs, and what engagement it has had with the UK Government to encourage it to reduce the number of pet animals, which may enter Great Britain in a motor vehicle during a single non-commercial…
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Dogs Trust's recommendation that the number of pet animals able to travel under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) should be reduced from five to three per vehicle, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the potential impact in Scotland of the recommendation."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 March 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05936 by Maree Todd on 14 February 2022, whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding by NHS board area."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 9 February 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill to apply to the use of mesh during other medical procedures, such as hernia operations."
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 2 March 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 31 January 2022
"To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been committed to supporting breastfeeding in each of the last five years and, of that, how much has been committed to supporting mothers with post-natal mental health issues."
Answered by: Maree Todd on 14 February 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 24 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will designate Stena Line ferry services from Cairnryan as a vital service, and therefore exempt from the 10-day self-isolation rule if staff are fully vaccinated and have a negative lateral flow test, in order to ensure those services continue to operate."
Answered by: Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 24 December 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available to Stena Line in light of the potential impact of staff absences on sailings from Cairnryan over the Christmas and new year period."
Answered by: Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
See all of Finlay Carson's written questions submitted in Parliament