argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Improving Cancer Outcomes — House of Commons, 2015-02-05
Topic: Health
John Philip Glen (Conservative, Centre-right): I absolutely take that point, but I am challenging the fact that it is extremely demanding to deliver structural changes to how we provide the volume of services in a national system. For 18 months, I went through the experience of dealing with Naomi House, which provides palliative care for children and serves Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. I met four Ministers and the Prime Minister, but we still did not get a concession on bringing forward guidance on the use of tariffs by local authorities supporting palliative care for children. It was a case of being told that there would be a review, which would happen this year, next year or whenever. Because of my great frustration that delivering this change demands such effort, I doubt that continuing with the NHS as it is now will ever satisfy people. We must be more nimble in dealing with such challenges The other outstanding issue relates to the use of data. My hon. Friend the Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Baron) rightly pointed to the need for more awareness of data transparency so that we can target resources more effectively. I hope that he is right about the sufficiency of the resources that every party in the House will no doubt pledge in the run-up to the general election. However, when we have a lot of data, we need to be able to process and deal with it, and ensure that we use it to guide resource allocation decisions. I resist strongly all the voices saying that we need to be extremely cautious about using data. Unless we can aggregate data on health outcomes in different dimensions, and use them to drive the reallocation and refocusing of resources, we will not deal with inequalities I have probably said enough, but I want to thank my hon. Friend who has given us all something to aim for by championing cancer issues. I once again commend the recruitment event pushed by my local paper in Salisbury, the Salisbury Journal, to make us the place with the highest number of people on the register of Delete Blood Cancer UK. Will the Minister reflect on the key point about the sufficiency of resources and the challenges that the NHS faces and give us an honest answer, as I know she will? It is really important that people outside Parliament know that Members understand the challenges involved in the vital area of how to tackle cancer
Improving Cancer Outcomes — House of Commons, 2015-02-05
Topic: Health
John Charles Baron (Conservative, Centre-right): I am heartened that the Minister says we should keep going, and I assure her we will. Let me thank all hon. Members for their contributions. We have had some heartfelt ones, particularly from my hon. Friend the Member for Filton and Bradley Stoke (Jack Lopresti). His contribution was very brave, and we have all said so. Other hon. Members have made heartfelt contributions about their own personal stories, including the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne). Let me also thank, as I did at the beginning, the cancer-specific all-party groups. The all-party group on cancer may consider itself the wider cancer community’s voice in Parliament, but we are all doing essential work that adds value to the debate, and I thank all concerned. We work together well and we are making a valuable contribution, as the Minister has kindly said I thank the Minister and her team, as ever, for her constructive response. I asked one or two detailed questions in my opening speech that she has not had time to address, given the pressure of time, and I look forward to receiving a response in writing from her on those. May I leave one thought with her about improving outcomes, which is the subject of today’s debate? No one single measure will drive forward on the objective of improving outcomes. Science has its role to play. With my cancer hat on, courtesy of Cancer Research UK, I went to visit the Francis Crick building, the enormous building being constructed next to Euston station. It is inspiring to see that being built, and I was not the only one to feel that it will be a great source of hope in the future. Government initiatives will also take their place in improving cancer outcomes. My hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (John Glen) made the point about standardised packaging, and, as the Minister well knows, I have made my support for that clear, as it is a step forward However, there is one important measure—this is the thought I leave with the Minister—and one initiative that could be transformational in driving forward and improving cancer outcomes. I am talking about the one-year figures broken down by CCG, and the cancer community has come together in getting the Government successfully, together with NHS England, to put them in the top tier of NHS accountability. The Minister has admitted that there is a bit of vague ground on the levers of accountability and how NHS England will ensure that CCGs which underperform over a period of time will be brought to book. I suggest to her that if there is one measure that we will look back on in decades to come and say, "That, more than anything else, encouraged earlier diagnosis at a local level," it is those one-year figures broken down by CCG. I encourage the Minister and the Department of Health, with NHS England, to do all they can to make sure that those levers of accountability are properly in place, so that we can save those extra thousands of lives, which is what we all wish for Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered improving cancer outcomes.
Beer Duty — House of Commons, 2015-02-05
Topic: Health
Peter James Bottomley (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate my hon. Friend on winning the beer award at the marvellous evening that we had on the Terrace. Will he join me in thanking the pub trade and the brewers for their help in reducing drink-driving while maintaining the social life of the pub, where more controlled, sensible and responsible drinking takes place than in many other places?
Reports into Investigatory Powers — House of Commons, 2015-06-25
Topic: Defense
Andrew William Murrison (Conservative, Centre-right): As one would expect, my right hon. and learned Friend puts his finger on it. The mechanism that my right hon. Friend the Member for Cities of London and Westminster described so well may be a remedy for that, but nevertheless my opinion is that the power has to remain with Ministers. We need to guard jealously the power vested in our politicians, who are accountable to the House and the people for the extraordinarily important things that they do At the heart of the matter lies an improvement in public understanding. In the months before December next year, we have to do everything we can to inculcate in the public a far better understanding of these sensitive issues. Each of us has a job to do in that respect, and I hope that the Intelligence and Security Committee will play its part in improving public understanding. Our civil society will be in a much better place as a result.
National Gallery Industrial Dispute — House of Commons, 2015-06-25
Topic: Culture
Mark Christopher Field (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Gentleman knows, the National Gallery is in my constituency. I have received a number of representations and am very concerned about what is said tonight. I am afraid that I will have to leave shortly, but I will read the full Hansard report of the debate. This dispute is particularly regrettable because the gallery was one of the first employers in central London to pay the living wage, which we should all support. I hope that he will give at least some credit in that regard, although I accept that there are some very worrying specifics in relation to the case to which he refers.
National Gallery Industrial Dispute — House of Commons, 2015-06-25
Topic: Culture
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): That is new information to me. My understanding is that the National Gallery has made it clear to the unions that it would look at any alternative offer. I am not sure what the status of the offer that the hon. Gentleman mentions is and I have not had a chance to hear the National Gallery’s perspective. However, the gallery is at quite a late stage of the procurement process and, in theory, contracts for outsourcing the service will begin later in the year.
National Gallery Industrial Dispute — House of Commons, 2015-06-25
Topic: Culture
Edward Vaizey (Conservative, Centre-right): As I think I have made clear a number of times during this important debate, from what I know of the dispute, the National Gallery has engaged extensively with the union to seek a way forward. We know what its aim is—to modernise its working practices to take account of the desires and needs of visitors in the 21st century. As I have said, I support its modernisation programme, and I think the National Gallery is a fantastic institution. I particularly support the introduction of the London living wage next week Question put and agreed to.
Debate on the Address — House of Commons, 2015-05-27
Topic: Culture
David Anthony Andrew Amess (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman’s father—from heaven—would agree with him; I was also going to make that point in my speech Returning to the opinion polls, it is absolutely ridiculous that the exit poll from the BBC said that the Conservatives would be the largest party, with, I think, 289 seats. It even got that wrong, yet all the people who commentated on the general election are carrying on as though nothing has happened. That is absolutely ridiculous, and elected parliamentarians need to do something about that I agree with the point that the hon. Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley) has just made. We have a new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in my right hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale). When he was chairing the Select Committee, he seemed to have an awful lot to say about the British Broadcasting Corporation, and in each Parliament we talk about doing something about it. Now is the time for us to take action.
Benefit Sanctions — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Health
Esther Louise McVey (Conservative, Centre-right): We know that over 99.4% people on ESA and with a mental health condition are not sanctioned, so only 0.6% are. Again, we look to see how we work with people; and for very vulnerable people there is clear guidance on what counts as good cause, so they would know how and why they would not be sanctioned. We always know we need to do more. We have various pilots going on that seek better to understand people with mental health conditions.
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 25, page 1, leave out line 10 and insert— "(a) has been a member of the regular or reserve forces in the last five years ending with the day on which the appointment is to take effect, or" Amendment 26, page 1, line 11, after "(b)", insert "is" Amendment 27, page 1, line 13, at end add— "(4A) (a) The period for which a person is appointed shall be not less than five years and not more than seven years (b) A person who has been appointed as Ombudsman may not be re-appointed to the office." Amendment 28, in clause 2, page 3, line 15, at end insert— "(5A) Before making regulations under this section the Defence Council must consult the Service Complaints Ombudsman." Amendment 23, page 5, line 15, at end insert— "(2A) Regulations made under section 340E(1)(b) must specify that in relation to any service complaint which includes allegations of discrimination, harassment, or of being victimised as a result of making such allegations— (a) where a person is appointed by the Defence Council for the purposes of section 340C(1)(a) or 340D(2)(d) that person must have a proven understanding of discrimination and harassment; (b) where a panel is appointed by the Defence Council for the purposes of section 340C(1)(a) or 340D(2)(d) at least one member of the panel must have a proven understanding of discrimination and harassment." This amendment would require that any regulations made by the Secretary of State must specify that the person, or at least one of the panel members, involved in dealing with Service complaints involving allegations of discrimination or harassment should have a proven understanding of discrimination and harassment. Amendment 29, page 7, line 32, leave out subsection (2) Amendment 30, page 7, line 34, leave out from "subject to subsection (2)," Amendment 31, page 7, line 39, leave out subsection (5) Amendment 32, page 9, line 25, leave out paragraph (c) and insert— "(c) provision for the imposition on those to whom reports are sent of obligations of confidentiality in the interests of— (i) national security; or (ii) the safety of any person." Amendment 33, page 9, line 30, at end insert— "(aa) accept the findings and recommendations of the Service Complaints Ombudsman." Amendment 34, page 9, line 32, leave out "(if any)" Amendment 35, page 9, leave out lines 35 to 37 Amendment 36, page 12, line 14, at end add— "( ) The Ombudsman may report to the Secretary of State on any matter relating to service complaints and the procedure for the handling of service complaints as the Ombudsman considers appropriate."
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
Roderick James Nugent Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raised that central question during the Defence Committee’s pre-appointment hearing. We were very pleased that the Committee had an opportunity to meet Nicola Williams and to conduct a pre-appointment hearing with her. We focused very heavily on whether, without military experience, she would feel comfortable in the role. We were very impressed by Nicola Williams. Her arguments and explanations were extremely convincing, she displayed real independence in her role in the Cayman Islands, and she seemed to have the right balance of independence and respect for the institution. We were very happy, as a Committee, to approve her appointment To conclude, this matter is very important to the Defence Committee. We are not conventionally a Committee that looks at legislation. The nature of our work is not usually to scrutinise individual Bills, because a great deal of the work of the Ministry of Defence is not connected with legislation. However, we feel that it is very important in the setting up of the ombudsman that Parliament, and the Defence Committee in particular, is carefully involved We accept that it is a step in the right direction that the post of ombudsman has gone from thee days a week to a full-time job, and from having five employees to having more than 20. We accept that it is a good move that the Defence Committee has the power to hold an appointment hearing on the ombudsman. We also think it is good that the Government have accepted amendments from the Defence Committee. Aside from the inherent merits of those amendments, it is simply good procedure that in setting up an ombudsman, the Executive listen to the legislative branch and give Parliament and the Defence Committee the chance to influence the procedure. The ombudsman will have trust only if they bring not just the Ministry of Defence but Parliament, the public and institutions such as the Defence Committee with them. On those grounds, I move the amendment, but will not press it to a vote.
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to the Defence Committee for its work, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart) for his sensible comments. I also pay tribute to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) for her long-standing work, and thank her for her contribution today. I am afraid I cannot thank her for everything, because she came to see me last week and gave me part of her very filthy cold; but, as ever, she spoke with great force, and rightly made it clear—as did my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border—that Members would be watching the ombudsman’s progress very carefully While I am confident that the hon. Lady and my hon. Friend will be back here on 10 May, I do not necessarily have the same confidence in my own return. However, I can tell them that, should I be in such a fortunate position thanks to the support of the people of Broxtowe, I too will be keeping an eye on the progress of the ombudsman, regardless of the Bench on which I find myself sitting. Of course, in an ideal world the ombudsman would not have to do any work at all. Would it not be marvellous if she had no work to do? Unfortunately, however, she will have a great deal of work to do, because we have a system that, as we know, is not performing as it should be When I had the great pleasure of visiting Northern Ireland and meeting my hon. Friend—as I now consider him to be—the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), we spoke about the Bill and about the complaints system. He reminded me earlier today of the genuine concern that he feels about delay. Under the existing system, we hear all too often from members of all three services that there is too much delay, and that there is no excuse for it There are sometimes good reasons for delay. It is in the nature of service life that it may not be possible to find a witness—or even a complainant—for some time, because members of the armed forces may be on operations for at least six months. Someone who is serving on a submarine will be literally out of contact for those six months, or longer. Delay may also be caused by the complexity of a case, especially if it relates to allowances or pensions. However, all too often it is clearly due to the attitude that is taken. Complainants may be told, "I am very busy. I have a lot of other things on my plate. We are putting together a group of people to build a hospital in Sierra Leone. It is a crisis. It is an emergency and it is not going to wait, but your complaint can wait." We must change that attitude. A good, expeditious system will deliver justice. I know many people fear that false complaints will be lodged, but an effective system will ensure that only right and just complaints are dealt with, and people will then begin to have confidence in the system.
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): I believe that if the Bill passes through all its remaining stages, of which there are not too many, and if we extend the remit of Nicola Williams, in whom we all have confidence, to create the role of the ombudsman—following the passing of amendments in Committee that the Government did not oppose—the system will be hugely improved, and people will have more confidence in it. It also sends out a very clear message to our armed forces that they have got to sharpen up now and absolutely make sure that when somebody makes a complaint, whether it is a more serious and more appalling bullying and harassment complaint—which mercifully are rare; we know there is nothing peculiar about our armed forces that means we have more such complaints than other professions or fields of work—or complaints about allowances or pay or whatever, it is taken seriously and is acted upon not only fairly and justly, but with all due diligence and expeditiously, so we do not have these delays.
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
Roderick James Nugent Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): I reiterate what the Defence Committee said, which is that the amendments are extremely important conceptual points relating to the independence of the ombudsman and conflict of interest; the power of the ombudsman; the freedom of the ombudsman to operate; and the scope of the ombudsman. We will not press the amendment to a vote at this time. That is a good will gesture to the Government, who have made a concession on an important amendment I also wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), who has been the guiding spirit and soul of this process from the beginning to the end. She has kept the Defence Committee focused and she has kept it honest. I hope that she feels a real sense of achievement at having got through this extremely important amendment.
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government amendments 2 to 6 Amendment 22, page 6, line 37 at end insert— "() for the purposes of subsection (1)(c)— "Undue delay" should be considered any length of time longer than one calendar year, or a length of time that the Ombudsman determines constitutes an undue delay in relation to a given complaint." This amendment defines "undue delay" for the purposes of paragraph (c) of new section 340H(1) of the Armed Forces Act 2006 (see Government amendment 4). Government amendments 7 to 21
Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
Anna Mary Soubry (Conservative, Centre-right): I think the hon. Gentleman misunderstands me. We could have played politics, but I absolutely was not going to do that. My officials would not dream of such a thing, of course, but we could have done that because the amendments were not clear. I took the firm view that it was clear what the Committee wanted and that we should do everything we could to put it into effect. There was a good argument for waiting until the next armed forces Bill, but I took the view that that would not be right. It was clear what the Defence Committee wanted and what the Public Bill Committee wanted. That is why the Government have tabled the amendments. We know that that is, in effect, the will of the legislature. I am pleased to see my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Rory Stewart) nodding The amendments will give us a Bill and a process that will help our people understand when they can approach the ombudsman, on what matters and at what stage of the process, and they will give the ombudsman the teeth needed to hold the services and the MOD to account. I therefore commend amendments 1 to 21 to the House.
Commission Work Programme 2015 — House of Commons, 2015-03-09
Topic: Defense
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): In fairness to President Juncker, with whom I do not agree on that point, it is not a secret that he has held that view for a long time and I suspect it is held by pretty much every leading politician in Luxembourg. [Interruption.] That is the reality. A small European country would see an obvious benefit to its national interest from that sort of greater European action. The British Government do not share the view that a European army would be helpful or necessary. We believe that NATO is and should remain the centrepiece of our collective defence and security arrangements Were there to be any move towards establishing greater European military integration, it would first require consensus among member states, because such matters cannot be determined by a qualified majority vote under the treaty. Moreover, as I am sure my hon. Friend will recall, in passing the European Union Act 2011, this House required that there would have to be both an Act of Parliament and a referendum of the British people before any British Prime Minister could give consent to a proposal for the establishment of an EU army or armed forces in some hypothetical future.