argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Robert Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): Forgive me, Mr Speaker, I have a problem with my hearing The execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was clearly a real blunder, strategically, politically and in all senses, and everyone in this House believes that is so. Will the Minister outline what he thinks is good about Saudi foreign policy that helps peace and security in the region?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend allows me to underline the important role that Saudi Arabia is playing in relation to attempting to control a ceasefire under UN resolution 2216 and to supporting the UN envoy Ismail Ahmed’s work in trying to bring peace to that area. Obviously, that is one area of concern. Syria is the other area of concern, and Saudi Arabia is playing a vital role in that regard too. We must also understand Saudi Arabia’s important role and efforts in countering the poisonous message and ideology of Daesh.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I think that the document has been misinterpreted. It was not an exhaustive list as such, as I made clear in my opening statement. Saudi Arabia remains a country of concern, and we remain committed to encouraging and improving human rights in that country.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
James Gerald Douglas Howarth (Conservative, Centre-right): The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is indeed a very important ally of the United Kingdom in the region. Although internal order must be a matter for the Saudi authorities, as internal order is a matter for the authorities in the United Kingdom, the draconian crackdown on dissent in Saudi Arabia has already had very serious ramifications across the region and potentially has serious ramifications for the relationship between our country and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I urge my hon. Friend to impress on our Saudi friends that this is a serious matter and that, in showing leniency, particularly to these young juveniles, they will be doing a favour not only to us but to themselves, and they will be promoting the country as a better example than currently, sadly, is the case.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am pleased to repeat our concern about Ali al-Nimr and the other youths who were convicted when they were juveniles. We have received reassurances from the Foreign Affairs Minister, Adel al-Jubeir, and from the Saudi Arabian ambassador in London that they will not face execution.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend rightly underlines the importance of this bilateral relationship, which is not only commercial but includes academic and medical perspectives and so forth. The more we are able to engage and share ideas, the more we will be able to encourage change, modernisation and adaptation of international standards and the rule of law.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): For any nation to welcome 2016 with a display of mass execution more fitting of 1016 is profoundly wrong. Will the Minister confirm that, as in the case of our deal on nuclear issues with Iran, our relationship with Saudi Arabia will not prevent us from continuing to press human rights issues, in particular the oppression of religious minorities, and that all nations in the region which are expressing concerns about that in Saudi Arabia should look to eliminating it in their own jurisdiction as well?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): Saudi Arabia is co-ordinating the Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism, a coalition of 34 nations brought together to help defeat Daesh, in addition to the Vienna talks. Iran is not one of the 34 nations, and it is difficult to imagine how that coalition will be able to grow and work effectively, given the increased acrimony and the breakdown in diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries, including Iran. How can the Government make sure that this embittered Sunni-Shi’a division does not put the stability of the region and our own safety here at home at further risk from sectarian conflict and extremism on both sides, when we need bold steps towards a Sunni and Shi’a reconciliation?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman articulates very well the challenge that we face. I pay tribute to his interest in and knowledge of this area. He is right. I described the leadership today as being at the liberal end of opinion in that country. He uses a different form of wording. There are huge challenges that we face in the middle east, and different ways that we can provide support and influence the country. We can use foghorn diplomacy, stand back and shout from afar. That does not work and has not worked in the past.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): The greater prize for both traditions of Islam is reconciliation, and one has only to ask the families returning to their homes in Tikrit and now Ramadi to see that. This escalation of tension could reverse some of those hard-won victories. Has the Minister or the Foreign Secretary had any discussions with our American allies—with Secretary of State Kerry—and is he or the Foreign Secretary planning to go to Saudi Arabia and Tehran to help de-escalate the situation?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, huge efforts are taking place behind the scenes, involving many countries. My hon. Friend speaks about Ramadi. I place on record the importance of the capital of Anbar province now returning to the Iraqis. That shows that Daesh is on the back foot. The next step is Mosul. That will be significant for Iraq, which my hon. Friend knows well. It is important that that country is able to change the laws on de-Ba’athification and the national guard. If that does not happen, all that work will be challenged.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Andrew William Murrison (Conservative, Centre-right): The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is indeed hardly alone in practising judicial killing, but this latest bloodbath suggests a regime under some kind of pressure. What contingency planning does the Minister think should be done for the potential geopolitical consequences of the regime falling, given that it would do so swiftly and brutally, not unlike the Shah in 1979?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We are very much focused on de-escalating tensions between the two countries, for the reasons I have outlined, not just for the benefit of Saudi Arabia and Iran, but because there is much to be gained from getting back around the table and working on the progress made in 2015 to deal with the challenges in Syria and Iraq, and indeed in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): It is not just Saudi Arabia that we put pressure on to deal with human rights issues, and indeed with the death penalty; we also put pressure on Iran, which executes far more people—that point has not yet been made today. However, the reaction from President Rouhani, and indeed from Saudi Arabia, recognising that they must encourage and continue regional discussions on these other issues, has been noted. Flights and diplomatic relations have been broken off, but we have been given assurances that those who wish to can continue to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Sarah James (Wollaston) (Conservative, Centre-right): The execution of Sheikh al-Nimr has had disastrous consequences and is a gift to Daesh. Has the Minister made a calculation of the effect of the failure to deliver a straightforward condemnation on relations with other regional powers?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman has chosen to link two different conversations. Two and two does not equal five. The fact that those who promote democracy are now facing the death penalty is incorrect. We will continue to build our relationships with Saudi Arabia to encourage the reforms that we would like to see, as I articulated in my statement.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Helen Olivia Bicknell Whately (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my hon. Friend agree that the greatest threat to human rights in the region is ISIL-Daesh and that we must not be naive about the threats faced by allies such as Saudi Arabia? Therefore, as well as putting pressure on them to improve their human rights record, we must also help them to do so, and we must stand by them.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I touched on that in my statement and have made it very clear that no aspect of our commercial relationship with Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, prevents us from speaking frankly, and indeed openly, about human rights challenges. We will not pursue trade to the exclusion of human rights; they can and should be complementary.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Robert John Blackman (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend quite rightly refers to Saudi Arabia as a key ally, and to the emphasis on preventing further executions, so can he make it clear to the House what efforts were made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in advance of the executions to prevent them taking place at all?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Jon Wood (Conservative, Centre-right): It is particularly concerning that, notwithstanding assurances that have been given, death sentences remain in place against a number of juveniles, including Ali Mohammed al-Nimr. Will my hon. Friend pursue all available means to ensure that those executions do not happen?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): That is now our priority. It has been the subject of many conversations that we have had with the Saudi authorities, not least the Foreign Minister and the embassy. The assurance that we have received is that those executions will not take place.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): What Daesh is doing is beheading everybody who does not believe in it. But Daesh is not a state, so the influence that we can have in defeating it and its ideology is well documented—indeed, it was debated and voted upon in this House. Our approach to Saudi Arabia has again been discussed here today. We are committed to removing the death penalty, and not just in Saudi Arabia; we are working with other countries to see it removed across the world.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Neil Carmichael (Conservative, Centre-right): The dreadful events last week have made a complicated situation even more challenging and tested fragile relationships in a region where we need to see peace. What reassurance can the Minister give the House now that he is in proper contact with our allies—notably our European allies and the United States—to bring more influence on making sure that human rights are a priority and that, above all, peace is introduced?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The two issues are absolutely related. We need to encourage Saudi Arabia and other allies that need to make progress in this area and work out the best strategy for providing that support. That is exactly what we are doing. We are also in discussion with other Gulf Co-operation Council countries, the Arab League, the United Nations and the European Union to work together on how best to support the introduction and improvement of human rights, governance, the rule of law and women’s rights as well as the important issue of the freedom of the press.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Atta-Ur-Rehman Chishti (Conservative, Centre-right): I have visited Saudi Arabia and met its parliamentarians and Ministers; one made it clear that one was against the death penalty and called for religious freedom. However, may I ask the Minister for clarification on this point? Has he seen the article by Joseph Braude from the Foreign Policy Research Institute? He said that many of those executed in Saudi Arabia along with Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr were members of Hezbollah al-Hejaz—a sister wing of Hezbollah that has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union. Some colleagues have said that there was peaceful protest, but has the Minister seen the other side of the coin, which indicates that some of those involved had taken part in terrorist activity? I do not know the answer; I am simply seeking clarification. Linked to that issue, has the Minister seen a statement from al-Qaeda and Daesh calling for open revolt and for people to take up arms against the Saudi Government? We have a common enemy in Daesh and al-Qaeda in that respect.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I have not seen the article and would be grateful if my hon. Friend passed it on to me. He makes an important point about the charges against these people. I underline, however, that we do not believe that the death penalty was deserved, whatever the charge. Britain has stood by that position for some time. As an interim step, there are EU standards that could be introduced. I hope that Saudi Arabia will take heed of that.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman; he has his views. I make it clear that the two are not mutually exclusive: we are able to have a legitimate, recognised and transparent arms export scheme, which includes Saudi Arabia, but that does not prevent us from having very frank conversations—public and private—about issues of human rights in Saudi Arabia and other countries as well.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Seema Louise Ghiassi Kennedy (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the recent appointment of our new chargé d’affaires, Nicholas Hopton, to Tehran and I hope that before too long our two nations will have full diplomatic relations. Does the Minister agree that maintaining and strengthening diplomatic relations, even with countries with which we have substantial differences of opinion, is absolutely the best way to have those difficult conversations about human rights and democracy?
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I pay tribute to the knowledge and experience in this area that she brings to the House. In February, there will be elections to the Majlis in Iran. We are hoping that the signing of the nuclear deal will allow a moderate grouping of MPs to be elected, which will encourage greater representation of the voices of the Iranian people. We very much encourage that.
Saudi Arabia — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Again, this goes to the strategy of how we can best influence what is going on. We condemn state murder wherever it takes place, whether in Saudi Arabia or any other countries across the world. I have made that absolutely clear. We stand firm in wanting to advance the global abolition of the death penalty, and that will not change.
Housing and Planning Bill — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Government Operations
Simon James Hoare (Conservative, Centre-right): In the new regulatory regime that my right hon. Friend seeks to advocate, whom does she envisage funding, managing and employing this new army of new-build inspectors? Local authorities up and down the country are seeing their budgets under pressure, so this is not going to come from that side of the equation.
Housing and Planning Bill — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Mark Prisk (Conservative, Centre-right): On Second Reading, I and a number of other Members raised the issue of clause 21 penalties. I am delighted that the Government have responded to that. Does the Minister agree that the penalties need that level of fine to make the bans effective?
Housing and Planning Bill — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Government Operations
Marcus Charles Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the Chairman of the Select Committee for that question. We first need to establish whether or not primary legislation is required, and we also need to establish exactly why local authorities are not using the powers they currently have at their disposal. That is what we intend to do, and it is why we have set up the working group. From that work, we will consider what measures are necessary—or not—to take forward the proposal made by my hon. Friend.
Housing and Planning Bill — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Government Operations
Chris Ian Brian Mynott Philp (Conservative, Centre-right): I believe the new clause makes it clear that the third-party providers will handle the processing but not the determination. The new providers will provide speed and efficiency, but decision making will remain where it currently is—with elected members and officers.
Housing and Planning Bill — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Environment
William David Wiggin (Conservative, Centre-right): I rise to support new clause 58, which is a brilliant amendment designed to fulfil our ambition to be the greenest Government ever. It would apply to only 345,191 grade II listed buildings in England, which would be freed to add insulation and solar panels and make other environmentally important improvements without needing to go through the listed building consent process currently required for any alteration to a listed building or within the curtilage of that building. It would free up hard-working conservation officers and reduce costs and red tape, while ensuring that all the historical features protected by the listing remain protected and under the current restrictions The new clause would also remove the curtilage catch-all and deter homeowners who can afford to turn up the heating but must not. Instead, they could do better things to help fight climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It is only a tiny amendment, so, not surprisingly, it is opposed by Historic England, which fears that the odd feature it has forgotten to list might be, what—insulated? It knows that things have to change and that we need to follow the success of the climate talks in Paris with practical changes. If the Government have a better way of delivering the curtilage removal, I will gladly withdraw the amendment and thank them on behalf of all our children and grandchildren.
Future Funding for S4C — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Technology
Christopher Paul Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I, too, thank my hon. Friend for securing this very important Adjournment debate. S4C is the only Welsh language TV station in the world. We are very proud of that in Wales and we will struggle if the funding is cut.
Future Funding for S4C — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Technology
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a useful contribution, which helps me to sum up my list of modest and deliverable requests to the Government. I start simply by reminding the Minister that the manifesto commitment is critical: "We would safeguard the funding and editorial independence of S4C." Everything I have discussed hinges on that commitment: a promise is a promise.
Future Funding for S4C — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Technology
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): To me, that is slightly mystifying. The DCMS announcement, as contained in the autumn statement, seems to default on the manifesto commitment. We have talked about a reduction from £6.7 million to £5 million. Those figures might not sound enormous in the general scheme of things, but the reduction does send a rather negative message to the BBC, which is yet to determine its own contribution to the channel.
Future Funding for S4C — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: Technology
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes a very good point. One reason for securing the debate is that I want the BBC to be in no doubt at all about our strength of feeling and commitment to the channel. We are all joining forces to try to ensure that we preserve it and its funding for all the right reasons.
Future Funding for S4C — House of Commons, 2016-01-05
Topic: International Affairs
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to this important debate. Nobody could overestimate its importance, considering that at least 20 hon. Members are in the Chamber at this early hour of the morning—and quite right too, because we are debating an important issue: the future of S4C. As my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) reminded the House, S4C was a creation of a Conservative Government and has continued to thrive over the past 30-odd years. It is abundantly clear that the House cares deeply about S4C, that hon. Members tonight consider it an integral part of the national fabric of Wales, that its independence is one of its biggest strengths and that the House wishes to safeguard its future. I firmly share that conviction, having looked after it for the last five years, and so do the Government.