argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rebecca Long-Bailey (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Secretary of State for that positive response, but I would like further clarification on a number of issues First, although I welcome PSA’s promise to honour existing contracts, I am deeply concerned about the 40,000 workers who are currently employed at Luton and Ellesmere Port and in the wider supply chain, who will be worried about the future of their jobs. What assurances has the Secretary of State personally received about the future of Vauxhall’s plants and the wider UK workforce beyond existing contracts? During his discussions with PSA, did it confirm that the production of the new Astra model would take place in the UK Secondly, there has been some discussion about the £1 billion deficit in General Motors’ UK pension scheme, with some commentators stating that it could have jeopardised the deal. The scheme has 15,000 members and is one of the largest in the UK. Can the Secretary of State assure the House that the pensions of the UK workforce are guaranteed in full Thirdly, it is increasingly clear that the Government have little power to ensure that certain corporate takeovers are in the public interest and accord with Britain’s industrial strategy. Existing legislation allows intervention only when matters relate to national security or media concentration. Does the Secretary of State have any plans to broaden the definition of public interest, for example to serve stakeholders and not just shareholders? If so, when will he publish the draft legislation Finally, what support has been offered to PSA following Britain’s exit from the European Union? We welcomed Nissan’s decision to remain in the UK as a result of assurances provided by this Government. Has PSA been offered the same deal? If so, would it not make sense for the Government to set out their strategy for this sector as a whole, rather than enlightening businesses one crisis at a time?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Energy
Justin Piers Richard Madders (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Secretary of State for keeping colleagues informed as matters have developed. It is clearly good news that we have a guarantee that production will continue until the end of the current Astra run at Ellesmere Port, but there is a deep concern in the community about what will happen after that. The noises that we have heard from PSA so far have been about plants being judged on their efficiency. I am very confident that, with the track record we have at Ellesmere Port of unions and management working together, we can put a very good case forward. However, there are things beyond their control, which is where the Government can step in, whether on business rates, procurement or the supply chain. I would like assurances from the Secretary of State that he will do everything in his power to ensure that we have a competitive environment for the Ellesmere Port and Luton plants.
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Labor
Angela Eagle (Labour, Centre-left): I have constituents who work in the Ellesmere Port plant and many others are reliant for their employment on local supply chains, so this is causing huge worry in the area. What can the Secretary of State say to reassure my constituents about the future, particularly given that our employment laws make it easier to sack workers in the UK compared with those who work in France and Germany, which puts them at an immediate disadvantage? What can he say to reassure them about the fact that we are leaving the EU and the single market, which again potentially puts them at a disadvantage in the competition to come?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Macroeconomics
Alison McGovern (Labour, Centre-left): I support the Secretary of State’s approach. He is demanding of PSA, so he will understand if we are a little demanding of him when it comes to what he is going to do. May I ask him again—as did my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Christian Matheson)—about the business rates regime as it relates to investment in plant and machinery? Has he asked the Chancellor to change it, yes or no?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Foreign Trade
David George Hanson (Labour, Centre-left): Hundreds in the excellent workforce at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and many in its supply chain reside over the border in north-east Wales. Will the Secretary of State ensure that he liaises with the Welsh Government on one of their primary objectives, which is to ensure that we have tariff-free access to mainland European Union markets?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Foreign Trade
Margaret Greenwood (Labour, Centre-left): I commend the Secretary of State for his dialogue with the trade unions and hope he is able to give us a commitment that he will continue that. Interestingly, he does not seem to be answering the questions on Brexit head-on. Many of my constituents work at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant, and they are very concerned about this. Given the risk that thousands of high-skilled jobs of the future may go, and given the importance of the plant to the region’s economy, what are the Government doing to ensure future EU market access for this industry and other important exporting industries?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Foreign Trade
Helen Catherine Goodman (Labour, Centre-left): The Secretary of State knows that the efficiency of the plants is down to the industry and the policy is down to him. Does his activism go so far as he having yet instructed his officials to have conducted an impact assessment of the impact on the automotive sector of leaving the customs union?
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Labor
James Dolan Cunningham (Labour, Centre-left): I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement, but I would also add a word of caution. We had this situation in Coventry, in Baginton, in 2005. The then Government intervened and tried to do their best, and the workers were promised new models, but they never materialised. Jobs were brutally cut and the factories were totally cut. I do not want to pour cold water on the Secretary of State’s announcement, but he needs to be very careful, given what he is dealing with.
Opel/Vauxhall: Sale to PSA Group — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Labor
Dennis Edward Skinner (Labour, Centre-left): Is the Minister aware that he has twice—twice!—praised Len McCluskey in this House, and that he has mentioned the trade unions as though they were part of the CBI five times? Is this the same Minister who walked through the Lobby to attack the trade unions’ authority and introduce that lousy Act of Parliament?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Technology
Edward Samuel Miliband (Labour, Centre-left): I welcome the Secretary of State’s coming to the House and her apparently robust intentions. Nevertheless, like my Front-Bench colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson), I am worried about the issue of the fit and proper test, and I wish briefly to explain why. The key thing about the test is that it is wider than the test on broadcasting standards. Many of us believe that the Murdochs are in no way fit and proper to have full control of Sky, given their corporate record. Can the Secretary of State clarify something I have not been able to establish on the basis of my correspondence with Ofcom? First, will the fit and proper test that Ofcom is going to conduct take place before the bid can be completed? Secondly, if there is no clarity on that, why does the Secretary of State not do what she can do under the Enterprise Act, which is to specify fit and proper as a third ground for referral to Ofcom, to make sure that such an assessment takes place?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Government Operations
Christopher John Bryant (Labour, Centre-left): The thing is, we already know that under James and Rupert Murdoch’s leadership, the companies they controlled bribed and bullied their way around British politics. They poisoned the well of British political engagement, used anti-competitive practices at every possible turn to try to destroy competitors, and made it impossible for media diversity to flourish in this country. Why on earth would anybody think that they were fit and proper people to take over now? Their only excuse, when they lied their way through their evidence to Parliament, was that their company was far too big for them possibly to know what was going on in some small outpost in the United Kingdom. That does not suggest that they would be any good at running things now, does it?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Technology
David Julian Winnick (Labour, Centre-left): Even if the notorious phone hacking had never taken place—if we were totally unaware of such events—is the Secretary of State aware that such a concentration of media ownership as is being proposed would be simply unacceptable? Also, is it not interesting that although reference has been made to some kind of witch hunt by Labour Members, there do not seem to be many Tories, except one, willing to defend Murdoch?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Government Operations
Geoffrey Robinson (Labour, Centre-left): Does the Secretary of State not agree that the fit and proper person test referred to by my right hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) a moment ago is, as she put it, an "ongoing" process? Surely that must mean that past behaviour is also taken into account. Without compromising her quasi-judicial position, will she say whether the previous behaviour of the Murdoch family in running their companies is also taken into account?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Technology
Joanna Meriel Stevens (Labour, Centre-left): Does the Secretary of State agree that the principles of competition and media plurality are vital in a modern democracy? Will she confirm that, when Britain leaves the European Union, we will continue to apply those principles and regulations to avoid the unfair concentration of media ownership in the UK?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Government Operations
Julie Elliott (Labour, Centre-left): I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State said that she was "minded to report" in her oral statement, but does she not agree that part of the process should be waiting for Leveson 2 to complete so that we can look at the issues of corporate governance to which she referred in her statement, as they are very worrying and concerning to the public at large?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Technology
Ruth Margaret Cadbury (Labour, Centre-left): More than 8,000 people work at Sky’s head office and broadcast facilities in my constituency. When the original bid was abandoned in 2011, David Cameron said that it was the "right decision" for the country. Will the Minister ensure that this deal receives the fullest possible scrutiny?
Sky/21st Century Fox: Proposed Merger — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Government Operations
Diana Ruth Johnson (Labour, Centre-left): Many constituents have contacted me, too. I understand that the Secretary of State cannot talk about the substantive issues, but can she give an estimate for when a final decision will be made? Also, if the merger is refused, will it be open to the Murdochs to keep coming back again and again on the issue?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Government Operations
Catherine Jane Smith (Labour, Centre-left): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. My constituent, Michael Gibson, was alarmed last week when he looked on the website of the Boundary Commission for England, and could not find evidence of the petition that he had supported, calling for one Member of Parliament for the Heysham, Morecambe and Lancaster area. It further transpires that the data had, in error, been added to a petition in opposition to such a seat. I am grateful for the fact that the Boundary Commission has today informed me that it is now correcting that error. Would you advise me, Mr Speaker, how I could make other Members of the House aware of the situation, because they might like to check their local areas to see whether any data have been entered incorrectly in other parts of the country?
Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Labor
Christopher John Bryant (Labour, Centre-left): The Secretary of State does have plenty of time, but I am grateful to him for giving way. One of the outcomes over the next 20 to 25 years might be that the number of taxicab drivers this country needs falls very dramatically, because people will be able to get an automated car to pick them up and take them somewhere. What planning has the Department done on the challenge that that will pose to employment in this country?
Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Social Welfare
Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds (Labour, Centre-left): Precisely. A work capability assessment might not be the best way to assess people with a fluctuating condition. Additionally, on the personal independence payment, there are far too many people at my surgeries who end up having to go all the way to a tribunal to be awarded what they should have been given in the first place.
Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Social Welfare
Jessica Elizabeth Morden (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend is making an excellent case. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work recently said during a debate that she would be talking to the Treasury and Motability about letting PIP claimants keep their vehicle while they appeal decisions that have gone against them. The removal of Motability vehicles has affected people with young-onset Parkinson’s. Does my hon. Friend agree that we deserve to hear what progress has been made on that issue?
Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Social Welfare
Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds (Labour, Centre-left): I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. That point is particularly pertinent because of the number of people who are succeeding on appeal I have an email from Phil from Kent, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 45. He says: "In…2015 I was awarded 17 points (the Higher Rate) for the Daily Living Component and 10 points…for the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment." He felt that that was accurate, but the assessment was downgraded when he was seen a year later. He has an appeal ongoing, but he simply says this: "I want the DWP to understand that Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition…It does not get better!" That is precisely right The Government have the laudable aim of halving the disability employment gap.
Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease — House of Commons, 2017-03-06
Topic: Social Welfare
Nicklaus Thomas-Symonds (Labour, Centre-left): I am grateful for that intervention from the former Minister. He takes a constructive approach, for which I am very grateful The aim of halving the disability employment gap is laudable, but I have a slight concern, in that we also have to recognise that people with Parkinson’s will need support when they leave work, at which point returning will, sadly, not always be a realistic option As I sum up, I want to speak about the people who battle this condition. Pete from Brighton says: "At heart…we YOP suffer a triple indignity: the disease itself, with all that it entails; our not being considered disabled enough by the system; and the lack of awareness ensuring that we are considered to be practically useless by society at large." Karen from Birmingham says: "my medication is not helping me through the night and sleeping is impossible. I am literally paralysed during the night." We should not forget the daily battle that people with Parkinson’s face, but nor should we forget where we started this debate—with Dr James Parkinson and that essay of 200 years ago. In addition to having medical expertise, he was also something of a political activist, writing leaflets under the pseudonym "Old Hubert" and speaking about those who lived in poverty. He argued for political reform, and I am convinced that if he was still here today, he would be speaking up for all those who have Parkinson’s, who suffer and who battle with this condition every day. I hope that this debate has at least gone some way to raising awareness of the particular problems that people face.
Leaving the EU: Business Consultation — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Foreign Trade
Rachel Jane Reeves (Labour, Centre-left): Many businesses are particularly concerned about additional checks on trade imports and exports if we leave the customs union. Can the Secretary of State give businesses any reassurance at all that there will not be additional checks if and when we leave the customs union?
Electric Cars — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Transportation
Questions: What steps he is taking to ensure that the electric grid is able to support the charging of the number of electric cars estimated to be in use by 2020.
Barry John Sheerman (Labour, Centre-left): Does the Minister ever worry that the country looks like investing £100 billion in High Speed 2, which will open at the earliest in 2033, but that, by that time, we will be able to use our phone to call to our home a driverless Uber-type vehicle powered by electricity that can take us anywhere in the country? Is that £100 billion not wasted money?
Thames Gateway: SMEs — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Foreign Trade
Stephen Creswell Timms (Labour, Centre-left): The Minister will know that one of the strengths of the Thames Gateway is the closeness of connections elsewhere in Europe, and one of the worries that small and medium-sized businesses have is whether they will be able to continue to recruit staff from other EU countries after Brexit. Will she acknowledge the strength of concerns of firms in the Thames Gateway, and can she offer them any reassurance about the prospects after Brexit?
Gas Storage Facilities — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Energy
Gareth Craig Snell (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Minister for his answer. The ceramics industry is a major employer in my constituency. It is very energy-intensive and heavily reliant on a secure supply of gas for business continuity. In the light of the announcement that the Rough gas storage facility is to close, what assurances can the Minister give the ceramics industry that the gas it needs will not run out or become unaffordable?
Zero-hours Contracts — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Labor
Alexander James Jorden Norris (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Minister for her response and for her kind words. Given the ease with which, just yesterday, £1 billion was found to protect only one job in Westminster, will the Minister please say what actions the Government are taking to encourage business to offer genuine financial and personal security to the nearly 1 million workers on zero-hours contracts?
Zero-hours Contracts — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Labor
Angela Eagle (Labour, Centre-left): I welcome the Minister’s statement that the Government are determined to ensure that employees get their employment rights. Why, then, did the Government introduce the huge fees for access to employment tribunals? Will they now abolish those fees?
Zero-hours Contracts — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Labor
John Eugene Joseph Dromey (Labour, Centre-left): What does the Minister have to say to the young dustman who said to me, "Jack, I’ve just got married. We’re about to have a baby. We’re paying a fortune in rent. We’d love to buy our own home, but no chance, because I’m on zero-hours contracts"? Is not the truth that he and millions of workers like him have seen through the pretence that the Conservative party is somehow the party of the working class, and the false claims and the phoney promises, and have simply had enough of falling pay, squeezed living standards and insecurity in the world of work?
Energy Price Cap — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Energy
Emma Ann Hardy (Labour, Centre-left): The lived experience of many people in Hull West and Hessle is that the Conservative party has done nothing to fix the energy market for the past seven years. Although I welcome the Government’s move and transformation from calling an energy price cap Marxist and extremely dangerous to copying it, is the Minister facing calls to water down that policy either from the big six or from his own Back Benchers?
Energy Price Cap — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rebecca Long-Bailey (Labour, Centre-left): As we have heard, various media outlets have reported recently that senior Cabinet members were lobbying for the Conservative price cap manifesto commitment to be dropped. Indeed, the Secretary of State’s recent letter to Ofgem was silent on the price cap element and, when questioned last week, the Prime Minister refused to confirm unambiguously that the price cap would be upheld. Will the Secretary of State confirm for the avoidance of doubt that he will implement the promised price cap, and not just stand by it, to deliver to 17 million customers the £100 saving that his Prime Minister promised?
Industrial Strategy — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Transportation
Diana Ruth Johnson (Labour, Centre-left): Ministers recently blocked Hull’s privately financed initiative to deliver rail electrification all the way to Hull, an important part of our infrastructure that is needed in east Yorkshire. Are people in Hull right to now believe that the £1 billion that was found for the Northern Ireland powerhouse comes at the expense of the northern powerhouse?
Industrial Strategy — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Rachael Helen Maskell (Labour, Centre-left): Over the last seven months nearly 2,500 job losses have been announced in York, including some at Nestlé, as well as the closure of two company head offices. There are clear challenges to York’s economy. Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me, along with his senior officials, so that we can address those serious challenges and ensure that the industrial strategy reaches York as well?
Industrial Strategy — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Macroeconomics
Chinyelu Susan Onwurah (Labour, Centre-left): Having abolished the regional development agencies, the Conservative party has refused to invest in growth for good jobs across the country. Ours is now the most unequal economy in western Europe. If every region produced at the same rate per head as London, we would all be one third richer, but instead working people have not had a pay rise for seven years. Will the Secretary of State commit himself to matching the specific proposals for investment for jobs that are laid out in Labour’s industrial strategy, or does his new-found largesse end at the shores of Ulster?
Carbon Reduction Plan — House of Commons, 2017-06-27
Topic: Environment
Ruth Stephanie Nicole George (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the Minister for her words. Will she join me in commending the work of the Moors for the Future partnership in my constituency in the Peak District for the purpose of carbon reduction? It is revegetating the large areas of bare peat that exist there, thus fixing carbon emissions. Will the Minister also please let us know what effect the new timeframe of the carbon reduction plan, which was due in 2016, will have on industries and other partnerships that are relying on seeing the plan?