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 not a member of any committees
Cross-party groups
Finlay is a member of 8 cross-party groups
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 Nordic Countries
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 does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Finlay does not have any previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
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 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]
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 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]
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. [Registered 7 May 2019]
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]
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]
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: 18 February 2021
Covid-19 (Support for Court Services)
3. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting court services during the Covid-19 pandemic. (S5O-05027)"
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 16 February 2021
EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "I want to look at environmental concerns when it comes to future trade deals. Inaudible.—the implementation and observance of international agreements, but not actually in their negotiation…
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 16 February 2021
Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 [Draft]
Finlay Carson: "I appreciate the cabinet’s secretary’s response regarding plastic use in deliveries. The exemption came into force in April 2020 but expired in October 2020…
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 15 February 2021
Budget 2021-22
Finlay Carson: "The committee is scrutinising the draft climate change plan update, as we have heard. Through that process, we have repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to align its budget with our climate change ambitions…
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 15 February 2021
Climate Change Plan
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "Before we move on to the aspect that I wish to focus on—the balance of effort—I return to something that we have already heard about and which you have already addressed: the suggestion by Chris Stark that “The plan is on the fringes of credibility”…
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Doing Politics Differently – the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland
Submitted by: Michael Russell, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Jenny Gilruth
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 18, 2021
Result 89 for, 0 against, 29 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Doing Politics Differently – the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland
Submitted by: Patrick Harvie, Glasgow, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 18, 2021
Result 116 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 13 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Doing Politics Differently – the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland
Submitted by: Anas Sarwar, Glasgow, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, February 18, 2021
Result 87 for, 29 against, 0 abstained, 13 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Passed
Mental Health
Submitted by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Monday, February 15, 2021
Supported by: Liam McArthur
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Result 65 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Mental Health
Submitted by: Mary Fee, West Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Result 65 for, 60 against, 0 abstained, 4 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
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: 18 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what financial costs have been incurred to date as a result of the cyber-attack on SEPA, and what the estimated cost is of fully reinstating SEPA’s systems."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 18 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether legislation could be introduced that would move the power of approving the budget of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission from the Commission to the Scottish Ministers."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason garden centres have been closed under the current COVID-19 restrictions when other larger retailers that sell garden products and equipment are permitted to remain open."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what role it believes gardening can play during the COVID-19 pandemic in helping people maintain good mental health and wellbeing."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reopen garden centres that meet the social distancing guidelines and other requirements to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 17 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how many new staff will be required to meet the mental health needs of people following the COVID-19 pandemic."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a national allowance for kinship and foster carers."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 28 January 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a medical exemption card to those who cannot wear a face covering."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 11 February 2021
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting court services during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 27 January 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it supports older people."
Awaiting answer
See all of Finlay Carson's written questions submitted in Parliament