Cheryl Gillan
MP for Chesham and Amersham
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Following the Prime Minister's speech on a green economy, can he commit to championing greater protections for our chalk streams? Will he redesignate the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty as a national park following Julian Glover's recommendation?
Context
The Prime Minister outlined plans for a green economy at the Conservative party conference.
Boris Johnson
The Government is committed to protecting areas like the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. DEFRA is considering Julian Glover's review recommendations, and the UK will lead globally in protecting biodiversity.
Assessment
Specific commitment on redesignation was not given
Under Consideration
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
The Prime Minister knows very well that I have an 11-year track record of opposing HS2, not least because of the environmental damage it is causing, and that I have expressed my support for peaceful environmental campaigns against this costly project. Regrettably, the actions of Extinction Rebellion, who have glued themselves to trains and now tried to interfere with the freedom of the press, have tarnished the reputation of peaceful environmental protesters. Will my right hon. Friend tell me what options he is considering to ensure that rather than offering encouragement to law breakers, such unacceptable behaviour and attacks on our democratic freedoms can be prevented from happening again, and that the integrity of peaceful campaigners is not impugned?
Context
The MP has an 11-year track record of opposing HS2 due to environmental concerns. Extinction Rebellion's actions have harmed the reputation of peaceful protesters.
Boris Johnson
I draw a sharp distinction and contrast between the civilised approach of my right hon. Friend to environmental protest and that taken by those who tried in vain to frustrate the freedom of the press. I must say that I was struck by the silence of the right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Keir Starmer) when he had an opportunity to condemn it. To answer my right hon. Friend's point directly, I do think it is important now, given the weight of the economic interests that were under threat and the threat to the freedom of the press, that we look at what we can do under public order and, indeed, under the law on nuisance. That is what we will do.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Can my right hon. Friend guarantee that autistic people will not be disproportionately affected by these changes, and will he publish which councils have to resort to emergency powers?
Context
Research found more than two in three autistic adults were not getting the support they needed before coronavirus; emergency powers easing duties under Care Act 2014 triggered.
The Prime Minister (Dominic Raab)
Wants to ensure autistic children are as protected as possible; funding going through local authorities; will speak to Education Secretary and Communities Secretary.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
In addition to general grants Bucks council has received £200 million across 25 specific grants. However, there are many conditions attached, such as not being able to use the contain outbreak management fund for supporting local businesses. Given councils' frontline role in the pandemic, shouldn't they have more freedom and flexibility?
Context
Bucks council received £200 million across various grants, but they face restrictions on how these funds can be used.
Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We are urging Cabinet to prioritise carefully their asks of local government, ensuring schemes are simple. Funding has been provided on an un-ring-fenced basis throughout the pandemic, including £54 million for Bucks council.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Over Christmas the Government announced 72 recipients of our £830 million future high streets fund competition, enabling councils to deliver ambitious regeneration plans. Councils are critical to the pandemic response, and the focus will be on their supportive role in vaccination programmes. Last week I announced the next phase of rough sleepers support strategy committing over £700 million. The Government's mission includes home ownership through leasehold reforms.
Context
The Government announced the recipients of £830 million in future high streets fund. Councils are playing a role in the vaccination programme, especially for hard-to-reach groups.
Robert Jenrick (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local councils have done a fantastic job but face capacity limitations. We are urging Cabinet to prioritise carefully their asks of local government, ensuring schemes are simple to reduce burden. Funding has been provided in almost every case on an un-ring-fenced basis throughout the pandemic, including £54 million for Bucks council.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Can the Minister reassure students and their families that universities are safe to open on blended learning and confirm clear strategies for supporting student mental health when returning to university?
Context
A new report from SAGE warns about worsening mental health among students due to continued education disruption.
Gavin Williamson
My right hon. Friend raises the important point about young people's mental health during the pandemic. We have worked closely with universities to ensure a safe return, recognising that covid has presented challenges to mental health. A £9 million fund was announced to support additional mental health work in the education sector.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
Do the Government plan to introduce covid-19 testing programmes at airports, working with trading partners for common standards?
Context
Many constituents depend on Heathrow for work.
Grant Shapps (Secretary of State for Transport)
We are actively working with Heathrow and other airports to put testing programmes in place, and I will be saying more about those in time for the review of air corridors.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
In order to save lives, the covid crisis has actually seen the Government take, I think, the most difficult decision—to deprive people of their freedom—since the second world war. Now, as central Government take a strategic lead to set out the road to recovery, would my right hon. Friend agree with me that the real heroes of the piece are local people, charities and public services, such as the new Buckinghamshire Council and the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, and should they not be recognised for their amazing work, which has brought out the best in our society and helped everyone?
Context
The questioner highlights the role of local people, charities, and public services in managing the crisis.
Michael Gove
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. I know that people in Chesham and Amersham, and elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, have benefited from her advocacy and from the energetic work of the local authority. She is right that we will, in appropriate time, need to recognise the commitment of those in civil society and elsewhere.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
She asked for an assessment of the industry's initiatives to combat disinformation, including warnings to users and removal of abusive content.
Context
Dame Cheryl Gillan questioned the effectiveness of social media industry initiatives to warn people about misinformation and their willingness to remove harmful messages.
Oliver Dowden
Oliver Dowden noted that platforms have taken steps but need to further limit misinformation. He mentioned agreements for more messaging to users about identifying and responding to disinformation, with Facebook showing messages to those who interacted with removed posts since his meeting.
Session: Covid-19 Disinformation
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The clause would introduce the new Schedule in NS1, which transfers to mayors of mayoral strategic authorities the power to approve a local highway authority to charge undertakers who are executing wo...
Buckland Review of Autism Employment
25 April 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion moves to consider the Buckland Review, an independent review that highlights the opportunities for businesses and the economy in supporting autistic individuals. It emphasises that only abo...
NHS Update
21 July 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Debate on the Address
11 May 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Domestic Abuse Bill - Lords amendments and Government motions to disagree with certain amendments
15 April 2021
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The lead MP moves that the House disagrees with Lords amendment 1, which seeks to strengthen protections for victims of domestic abuse. She outlines a series of Government motions to disagree with fur...
Prime Minister
14 April 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Chinese Government Sanctions on UK Citizens
13 April 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Greensill Capital
13 April 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Northern Ireland
13 April 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill - Clause 58 and related Lords amendments
19 January 2021
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Government accepts all the amendments made by the other place to this Bill, particularly highlighting Lords amendment 2 which requires annual reports on the impact of HS2 construction on ancient w...
3
PMQs Asked
6
Ministerial Questions Asked
40
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
-55% below average
This MP:
6
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+721% above average
This MP:
40
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Cheryl Gillan's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.