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 Dementia
Deputy Convener
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 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 February 2020 - 11 August 2020
Deputy Party Spokesperson on the Environment
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 Biodiversity
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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 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 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: 9 March 2021
Climate Change Plan
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "As deputy convener of the ECCLR Committee, I welcome the opportunity to close the debate on the committee’s recent report on the updated climate change plan…
Chamber meeting date: 3 March 2021
Social Security Scotland (Cost)
3. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent estimate is of the cost of establishing Social Security Scotland. (S5O-05075)"
Chamber meeting date: 25 February 2021
Mental Health Service (Staffing)
6. Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con): "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. (S5O-05062)"
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 23 February 2021
Mountain Hares (Protection) (PE1664)
Finlay Carson: "The Conservatives raised concerns about the way in which the amendment was made. As my colleague, Liz Smith, has mentioned, there have already been issues with it…
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee meeting date: 23 February 2021
Grouse Moors (Killing of Wildlife) (PE1762)
Finlay Carson: "The ask of the petition was for the Scottish Government to conduct a full review of the animal welfare impacts of traps and snares…
Votes
How Finlay Carson has voted in Parliament
Find out how Finlay Carson has voted recently.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Result 70 for, 49 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Result 24 for, 95 against, 1 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Result 34 for, 85 against, 1 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Result 34 for, 84 against, 1 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Result 51 for, 67 against, 0 abstained, 11 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: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there are sufficient levels of iron in school meals."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue its partnerships with dairies to delivery milk direct to nurseries."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to remove sugared drinks from school meals."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme will encourage nursery children to drink cow's milk and not cheaper alternatives."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to (a) farmers and (b) food producers to ensure that school meals provide high dietary benefits."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what safety measures have been introduced by (a) it and (b) its agencies following the recent cyber-attack that was experienced by SEPA."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost SEPA to restore data, following the recent cyber-attack that it experienced."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what impact the recent cyber-attack that was experienced by SEPA has had on the agency’s ability to record levels of fly-tipping, and what information it has regarding the trend in the number of fly-tipping incidents since the attack."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent cyber-attack that was experienced by SEPA, whether (a) it and (b) any of its other agencies have been subject to a similar attack in the last 12 months and, if so, whether (i) extortion attempts and (ii) threats to publish online stolen documents were made."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Carson, Finlay, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government by what date SEPA is expected to return to full operational capacity, following the recent cyber-attack that it experienced."
Awaiting answer
See all of Finlay Carson's written questions submitted in Parliament