argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I mentioned some of the ways in which knowledge of dealing with these outbreaks has been acquired and improved on as a result of the outbreak in west Africa. Much of the expertise in Public Health England was drawn on very early in the previous outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I reiterate that the response is running into challenges not because of a lack of expertise, a lack of vaccine or a lack of dedicated personnel willing to deliver it, but because of the conflict on the ground. People are attacking peacekeepers in the area. Therefore, we call on all participants to eschew violence and allow health workers to do the job that they need to do, because that is the real threat in this outbreak.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to the amazing work done by Médecins Sans Frontières, which is part of the delivery mechanism for the response. We have been very pleased with the co-operation that we have had from the DRC Government and their health system but, as the hon. Lady will know, that country is enormous. It is extremely heavily populated and conflict is being experienced in this particular area. Those factors, rather than a willingness of spirit or the desire to help, are the particular challenges in this outbreak.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I underline that that is the fundamental challenge in the outbreak, because it has made it very difficult to trace contacts—I mentioned that over 4,000 people who are contacts of people who have tested positive for the disease need to be traced every day—and it is making it really difficult for health workers to do their job. The fact that MONUSCO has come under attack in the area underlines the very fragile security situation, which is causing untold harm to the response.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Defense
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the overall tone of the Minister’s statement. We previously saw with Operation Gritrock how our military, in an unarmed capacity—providing logistics and medical support—could make a real difference to fighting Ebola. What discussions has my hon. Friend had with the Ministry of Defence about how some of those capabilities could be used, given the situation on the ground?
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Defense
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right to pay tribute to the amazing work that UK forces did in Sierra Leone—words fail me in describing the amazing bravery that they showed in dealing with that outbreak. This particular example is within the boundaries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is working with the forces that it believes are appropriate for that area. It is probably worth my saying on record that were the Government of the DRC to want to explore that approach with our Ministry of Defence, we would obviously be very happy to have that conversation.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I think I said that that was the best possible scenario. I reassure my hon. Friend that while the UK is the second largest contributor to funding the response so far, the World Health Organisation’s plan is fully funded, and other countries have stepped up to the plate to fund it. The issue is not a lack of funding or a lack of willingness from the international community to help out, and nor is it a lack of co-operation from the DRC Government in terms of the way in which the outbreak is continuing to grow. The issue is particularly the fact that this is a conflict-affected area, and that is hampering health professionals’ ability to do important work.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I can absolutely confirm that. I mentioned that Public Health England believes that the risk to the UK population is currently low, but obviously people travel around the world, and in this interconnected world, I strongly believe that a healthier world means a healthier UK.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the risk of this outbreak being contagious across borders, given how close it is to the Ugandan border. The WHO and others are working with neighbouring countries to make sure that people are screened at the border, that there is a sufficient supply of vaccines and, as I mentioned earlier, that vaccines are approved for use within countries. We are taking all the steps we can, but what makes this outbreak so challenging is, as he rightly says, the prevalence of violent individuals disrupting the work of the health workers and peacekeepers.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Rebecca Faye Clark (Pow) (Conservative, Centre-right): With the outbreak predicted not to be under control for another six months, can my hon. Friend please assure us that everything is being done to protect our vital and much-valued health workers? Without them, we cannot deliver the programme, and with them, the consequences could extend far beyond the Congo. Will she join me in thanking these very brave workers?
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes my point incredibly eloquently. I mentioned that 31,000 health workers, I think, had received the experimental vaccine so far. Think about how brave they have to be to receive an experimental Ebola vaccine; I do not like getting my flu jab. I therefore want to take this opportunity to draw the House’s attention to those strong words of appreciation for the brave work of both the peacekeepers and the health workers.
Ebola Response Update — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Harriett Mary Morison Baldwin (Conservative, Centre-right): I had the great pleasure of visiting Uganda and was thoroughly impressed by the work of the Uganda Virus Research Institute and the reassurances I got from across the Ugandan system about its increased preparedness for the risk of Ebola crossing the border. People there had, for example, made sure the experimental vaccine was approved by the appropriate Ugandan authorities.
Finance (No. 3) Bill — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Tracey Elizabeth Anne Crouch (Conservative, Centre-right): Further to the point made by the hon. Member for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield), it is worth remembering that Thursday will be the anniversary of Jack Ritchie taking his own life. It is therefore really important that we think about suicide as an important issue in this debate. It is certainly one of the issues that drove my position for many years.
Finance (No. 3) Bill — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Minister agree that we sometimes use tax to alter behaviour—for example, on tobacco and alcohol—as well as purely for funding? That is why measures to prevent the evasion of those duties are so vital to achieving public health gains, in addition to the obvious points in terms of the Treasury.
Finance (No. 3) Bill — House of Commons, 2018-11-20
Topic: Health
Melvyn John Stride (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is entirely right. One thinks, for example, of the sugar levy to improve public health and to make sure that our young people, in particular, move towards a healthier diet. Tax can certainly have an effect in that respect. As my hon. Friend said, there is also the duty on cigarettes, tobacco, hand-rolling tobacco, and alcohol to make sure that as well as just raising revenues, we change behaviour in a way that is conducive to the public good.
Commonwealth: UK National Security — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
David Anthony Andrew Amess (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that Commonwealth troops made a vital contribution to our successes in the first and second world wars? Accordingly, what measures is his Department taking to encourage more Commonwealth citizens to join the British armed forces?
Commonwealth: UK National Security — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. More than 3 million Commonwealth and empire soldiers took part in the great war, serving alongside British servicemen, and 200,000 lost their lives. We are looking at increasing the number of Commonwealth nationals who can join our armed forces, as we recognise the important contribution they made to our international armed forces.
Commonwealth: UK National Security — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): We certainly do not want meaningless talking shops. The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point; perhaps I should make him an honorary colonel to take the message right around the Commonwealth and get it across. He makes a valuable point about the important network of influence that the Commonwealth provides, which is demonstrated every time we visit Commonwealth countries. We are looking closely at how we can do more with Commonwealth armed forces.
Commonwealth: UK National Security — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Philip Thomas Hollobone (Conservative, Centre-right): Cyprus is a member of the Commonwealth and our sovereign base areas there are a vital part of Britain’s defence. Cyprus is also a member of NATO and the EU. When my right hon. Friend speaks to his Cypriot counterparts, does he find that they share our concerns about the development of the European army that is now being proposed, and how that might undermine NATO?
Commonwealth: UK National Security — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I have not had any conversations with my Cypriot opposite number about any European army, but let me be absolutely clear that Britain will not participate in a European army. The cornerstone of our defence in the United Kingdom, on continental Europe and in the north Atlantic is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, not the European Union.
Armed Forces: Mental Health — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Health
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): One third of us will be affected by a mental health condition or problem during our lifetime, and that applies also to those serving in the armed forces. The Prime Minister is very conscious of the issue and wants to remove the disparity between physical and mental health. It is why in 2017 we launched the mental health and wellbeing strategy, which is reaping dividends in removing the stigma attached to mental health issues.
Armed Forces: Mental Health — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Health
William Grant (Conservative, Centre-right): Will my right hon. Friend join me in commending the good work done by Combat Stress at its Hollybush House facility in my constituency? Will he consider what further assistance can be given to such organisations in providing mental health support to current and former members of the armed forces?
Armed Forces: Mental Health — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Combat Stress came about after the first world war, from which people were returning with conditions that we did not understand then. Today, 100 years later, Combat Stress continues to provide vital support, working with our armed forces to ensure that we provide the support necessary for those affected by such conditions, and I pay tribute to the work it has done. I recognise, however, that occasionally people do not get the treatment they are due. We are ensuring that all those who need it, no matter the circumstances, receive the support they deserve.
Armed Forces: Mental Health — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Health
Questions: The all-party group on mindfulness recently held an evidence session here in Parliament on the science and best practice of mindfulness in the UK fire, ambulance and police services and in the US marines. Will the Minister look at the evidence to see whether our UK armed forces could benefit from this science-based intervention?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. It is not just the armed forces who are subject to stress and other mental health issues. Our approach has been to promote better understanding of the issues he touches on to increase prevention, and better detection to provide early treatment. An awful lot can be done to compare notes and share best practice. I do that with the "Five Eyes" countries and I would be happy to sit down with him to discuss how we can do that for the blue light services, too.
Armed Forces: Mental Health — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Questions: The all-party group on mindfulness recently held an evidence session here in Parliament on the science and best practice of mindfulness in the UK fire, ambulance and police services and in the US marines. Will the Minister look at the evidence to see whether our UK armed forces could benefit from this science-based intervention?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): One reason we introduced the Veterans Board, which is chaired by the Defence Secretary, was to hold other Government Departments to account. They have a duty of care to our armed forces personnel and their families, and to veterans. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments on the important debate we had last week. It is imperative that all clinical commissioning groups and local authorities recognise their duty to the armed forces covenant. We should have the same standards across the entire country.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): The first responsibility of Government is the protection and defence of the United Kingdom and its citizens. Nuclear sits at the apex of our defence and deterrence strategy. It is there to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and our way of life.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Jack Edgar Brereton (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for that response. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the continuous at-sea deterrent and look to Trident’s renewal, what more will he do to ensure that new supply chains benefit British manufacturers most, especially those in Stoke-on-Trent South?
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very much looking forward to joining my hon. Friend in a visit to Goodwin International, a brilliant example of a firm in Stoke-on-Trent that supplies the UK and operations right across the globe. It goes to show that the investment we are making in our nuclear deterrence not only benefits greatly the people of Barrow, but supports a global supply chain and an enormous supply chain in the United Kingdom.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): If I may address Madam President on that point, Mr Speaker, the hon. Lady is absolutely right. We are the only country that assigns its nuclear deterrence to the defence of NATO, so it plays a vital role. It also plays an important role in ensuring that Britain is an even more powerful voice within NATO and acts in a real leadership role in that organisation.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Robert Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): It is great to follow a president, for the first time in my life. Although we have strategic nuclear forces, we do not have tactical nuclear weapons. That is a gap in our strategic escalatory ladder. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that we work very closely with our NATO allies, which do have such weapons, so we can ensure no gaps in escalation if, heaven forbid, that were to be necessary?
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): We always work very closely with all our NATO allies, looking at the broad range of threats that Britain and our NATO allies face. We often talk about nuclear deterrence, but we must not forget the importance of conventional deterrence as well, which is provided by all our forces, the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the British Army, whether that is about our forces having the right capabilities or where they are deployed. We are leading NATO in terms of our deployments in Estonia, Poland and, through the summer, Romania.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): The latest Russian aggression towards Ukraine shows the type of blackmail that western Europe could be subjected to if it did not have the protection of NATO’s nuclear shield. However, does my right hon. Friend agree that this is not just about the jobs up in Cumbria? My father spent a lot of time refitting and maintaining our deterrent class fleet at Devonport, which is where we expect the Dreadnought class to be refitted.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): We can all be very proud of the skill and workmanship at the Devonport dockyard, which has been integral to looking after our nuclear deterrence for almost 50 years. It is something that it will continue to do long into the future.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said earlier, we recognise not only the brilliant skills that are held at the Devonport dockyard, but the importance of having a strong relationship with all our suppliers. We always work very closely, whether it is with Babcock, BAE Systems or Rolls-Royce, on the availability and deliverability of all our military assets.
Trident — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I formally offer my apologies for not being able to attend the reception, which I sadly had to miss, but I look forward to attending a future one, and I would like to formally record my thanks to the men and women of Barrow, who have continuously worked so hard to provide us with the world’s cutting-edge submarine technology. Like the hon. Gentleman, I was very proud when I went through Barrow to see those Astute class submarines and the Dreadnought being built. It is absolutely integral to our national security. This is not just about the Royal Navy, but about the whole industrial supply chain pulling together to make sure that Dreadnought is delivered on time and in budget.
Transition to Civilian Life — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Every single year, 15,000 personnel depart from our armed forces, and I hope that I say on behalf of the entire House, "Thank you for your service." They learn incredible skills while serving, and we need to ensure that the transition back into civilian life is as smooth as possible. I am pleased to say that 90% of those who participate in our transition scheme are either in education or back in employment within six months of departing the armed forces.
Transition to Civilian Life — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
David James Duguid (Conservative, Centre-right): What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the Office for National Statistics, or the Registrar General for Scotland, about the feasibility of adding the category "armed forces veteran" to the national census, to help us to identify the location of our veterans?
Transition to Civilian Life — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am pleased to say that we have spoken to the National Audit Office, and we are proceeding with the census question to ensure that we have a better understanding of who is actually a veteran in this country. I think it would be very helpful in securing a better estimation. We understand that there are currently 2.5 million veterans, and that the figure will fall to 1.5 million over the next 10 years, but better data through the census will certainly help.
Transition to Civilian Life — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady raises an important point. When we think of the armed forces, we think of those in uniform, and when we think of the veterans, we think of those who have served, but around every person who has served there is a family—a unit that has been with them every step of the way—and we must make sure that their needs are looked after as well. I pay tribute to all the service-facing charities, including the small ones, that do such an excellent job. It is also important to recognise the work of the Veterans’ Gateway that allows access to help with understanding where this support can be provided.
Veterans’ Mental Health and Armed Forces Covenant — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Health
Questions: When he last discussed the Government’s obligations for the mental health of veterans and the Armed Forces Covenant with the Secretary of State for Health.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We have regular discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care and, indeed, the Secretary of State for Health. As we just touched on, it is an important requirement that the health matters and the concerns of both veterans and armed forces personnel are met. That is not a direct responsibility of the MOD; it is a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care and we are working ever more closely with it.
Veterans’ Mental Health and Armed Forces Covenant — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Questions: When he last discussed the Government’s obligations for the mental health of veterans and the Armed Forces Covenant with the Secretary of State for Health.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We are concerned about that. We do not want to see any delay in the allocation of armed forces compensation, and if the hon. Lady has a specific issue, I will be delighted to meet her to discuss it.
Armed Forces: Statutory Association Body — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will group this with Question 18 Armed forces personnel are prohibited from joining any such lawful organisation. Personnel may become members of civilian trade unions and professional associations. If they are a member of a trade union, they cannot participate in any industrial action.[Official Report, 28 November 2018, Vol. 650, c. 1MC.]
Armed Forces: Statutory Association Body — House of Commons, 2018-11-26
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am obviously saddened that there is less time to debate this important issue right now, let alone on any future occasion. I want to make it clear that our armed forces prepare not for the world that we live in but for the world that we might find ourselves in. We are the ultimate backstop. We are the ones who step forward and fill the gaps when there is a necessity to do so. We cannot do that if there is a threat of industrial action or if we are in some way unable to provide those services. By all means bring that debate on; I will be more than happy to explain in more detail why the status quo is correct.