Local MP speaks in more than 100 debates since September

Rehman has contributed to 110 debates in Parliament since last September – which is well above the average for Members of Parliament.

In just seven months, the busy MP has questioned Ministers on important local issues including train fares, employment, business creation and health.

In March alone, Rehman took part in more than 20 debates covering a diverse range of subjects: from apprenticeships in Medway and illegal tobacco in Gillingham to the situation in Syria.

Rehman is also on target to try and beat his previous speaking record. In his first year he spoke in 113 debates – one of the highest contributions by a newly elected MP.

He has previously been recognised by the BBC as one of the top speaking Members of Parliament in their end of term report.

To get regular updates on Rehman’s activities, please sign up to receive his monthly newsletter at Rehmanchishti.com

Rehman said:
"Since September I have spoken in more than 100 Parliamentary debates and raised a range of local issues which affects people in Gillingham and Rainham. I believe that it is important for an MP to represent their local constituents in Parliament by speaking up for local concerns."

Here is the full list of debates from September 2012 onwards:

September 2012 (17 debates)

• The cost of train fares
• The price of petrol
• Called for a debate on organ donations
• The use of Drones in Afghanistan
• The use of Drones in Pakistan
• The UK’s policy on Drones
• Illegal immigrants and jury service
• The Hillsborough Tragedy
• Promoting Human Rights abroad
• Bullying and Whistleblowing in the NHS
• Honour Violence and Domestic Violence
• The persecution of Christians abroad
• The Government's City Deals initiative
• Targets for Affordable Housing
• Volunteering at the Olympic Games
• The role of the UN envoy to Syria
• Honour violence and Schools

October 2012 (12 debates)

• The Secretary of State for Education joined me in congratulating the best ever GCSE results this year by students in Medway
• The progress being made to reduce same sex wards and improve patient privacy at Medway Maritime Hospital
• Medway's Community Covenant with the armed forces which has been signed by more than fifty local organisations
• The South East trains franchise
• Whether steps are being taken to strip Jimmy Savile of his knighthood
• Whether the UK has shared intelligence with the United States over drone strikes in Pakistan
• The Syrian conflict
• Winterbourne View and the enhancement of inspections
• On School Governors
• Victims and the Criminal Justice System
• Disability hate crime
• Tackling fraud on the Electoral Registration

November 2012 (14 debates)

• My first Westminster Hall debate on the use of drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Job creation in Medway
• Improving cycling safety
• Questions on the ending of drone strikes in Afghanistan
• The deportation of Abu Qatada
• The effectiveness of curfew orders
• The Charity Commission and religious organisations
• The supply of legal highs
• Aid to Uganda and Rwanda
• The United States position on the Syrian opposition group
• The support for Dyslexia in Prisons
• Sexual exploitation by gangs
• Scotland and the Union
• Inspections of mental health facilities

December 2012 (12 debates)

• Consultation on same sex marriage
• The importance of regional newspapers
• Food poverty and food banks
• Increasing the transplant rates
• Literacy and drug use in prisons
• Women Bishops
• The Patrick Finucane Report
• Probation Services
• The use of drone strikes
• The report into Winterbourne View
• The crisis in Syria
• Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan

January 2013 (16 debates)

• The Government's investment in maternity services and the excellent work of the Oliver Fisher Special Care Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital.
• Truancy in schools
• The affect of problem gambling in local communities.
• The issue of knife crime following the tragic death of David Young in Gillingham.
• Tax fraud which costs the Government £3.3 billion a year.
• Electoral registration reform.
• The issue of diabetes.
• Leadership in local Government.
• Drug treatment for prisoners.
• Olympic funding.
• The situation in Syria.
• Pension reform.
• The situation in Mali.
• The Algerian hostage crisis.
• Family planning in Pakistan.
• Organ donations.

February 2013 (17 debates)

• The investigation into the mortality rate at Medway NHS Trust.
• Company formations in Gillingham.
• Silver Star's visit to Gillingham praised in Parliament.
• The Communities Minister welcomed the roll out of a new firefighting system to Medway.
• Women in sport and the Olympic funding for the Gillingham Anchorians.
• Medway's CCTV hub.
• Medway's interest in the City Deal initiative.
• A debate on social media.
• Syrian refugees going to Iraq.
• Support for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
• Same sex marriage bill.
• Animal experiments.
• Suicide prevention.
• Democracy in Egypt and Libya.
• Issue of sexual violence.
• The horse meat issue.
• Honour violence.

March 2013 (22 debates)

• The Medway Council led scheme SUCCES, which has been named as one of the best in Europe.
• Plans to increase PCSOs in Kent and Medway.
• Internet access in Medway and the digitalisation of services.
• Medway's new Development Fund.
• Minimum pricing for alcohol.
• Illegal cigarettes in Gillingham.
• Bullying at Medway Maritime Hospital.
• The budget and structure of the Ministry of Justice.
• The United States' policy on Syria.
• The Syrian anti-government forces.
• Family planning in Pakistan.
• A debate about tax fairness.
• Apprenticeships.
• Drink Driving laws.
• Fuel poverty.
• Youth Justice.
• Victim's surcharge.
• The Syrian opposition.
• Violence in Bangladesh.
• Discussions between the Government and Pakistan.
• Rail fares.
• Changes to the UK Border Agency.