argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Review of the Gambling Act 2005 — House of Commons, 2021-07-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Scott Lloyd Benton (Conservative, Centre-right): It is a pleasure to lead this Adjournment debate on the review of the Gambling Act 2005. I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests and to my position as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on betting and gaming. I thank the Minister for Media and Data, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), for his engagement with the industry and the APPG on this issue. It would be remiss of me not to mention the Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Nigel Huddleston), as I know that he did the same when gambling fell under his ministerial remit Betting and gaming is a key part of the UK’s dynamic and diverse leisure and entertainment industry. Betting and Gaming Council companies alone support 119,000 jobs. The figure is even higher if we include wider bingo, adult gaming centres and arcades on seaside piers. The online sector in particular is responsible for a growing number of well-paid tech jobs. The Government desperately need those jobs and the tax revenue they bring as we rightly build back better from the pandemic.
Review of the Gambling Act 2005 — House of Commons, 2021-07-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Scott Lloyd Benton (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Member makes a brilliant point. It is not just about the jobs, directly and indirectly, and the taxation to the Exchequer; it is also about the contribution of the industry to the cultural fabric of our society. I appreciate that point and will refer to it later The industry’s contribution to the national economy and local economies such as mine in Blackpool must be taken into account during the upcoming gambling review, which provides a golden opportunity to upgrade much of the legislation in an area that is increasingly becoming analogue in a digital age.
Review of the Gambling Act 2005 — House of Commons, 2021-07-22
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): I echo what has been said many times today: we are all extremely grateful for the amazing service given by everybody who works in this amazing building during these very difficult times in order to keep our precious democracy working, and working well. Let us hope that when we return it will be back to normal and working even better. I wish everybody a happy recess Question put and agreed to.
International Trade Policy — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady and colleagues across the House have been resolute champions of the steel industry in Wales. I hope the UK Government’s support of Celsa Steel in Cardiff during the pandemic is an indication that we, too, are prepared to put our money where our mouths are as far as supporting the industry, for all the reasons she has rightly highlighted. It would be rash of me to predict what the statement or announcement might be on this, other than to say that I expect it later today, so she, and colleagues across the House, should get clarity on this matter before close of play today.
Covid-19: Co-ordination of UK-wide Response — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
David Timothy Simmonds (Conservative, Centre-right): Like my right hon. Friend, I hugely welcome the progress that has been made in Wales, but what frustrates many is that the Welsh Government seem to be in the habit of announcing extended lockdowns at short notice—[Laughter.]—without having due consultation with the Government. Does he agree that, should this practice continue, we should expect Cardiff Bay to meet the financial cost of supporting businesses to keep their heads above water during those lockdowns?
Covid-19: Staff Safety at DVLA Offices — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I am not aware of the specific examples, but I am happy to join the hon. Lady in condemning all kinds of online abuse against absolutely anyone. I have been the victim of online abuse myself, and I am sure that the hon. Lady has—I assume that most of us have—and I would never ever support the abuse of anyone online, whatever their views or their position in some form of industrial dispute. I would just gently point out, though, that 60,000 items are received by the DVLA every day that have to be dealt with in person, and many of them are coming from the most vulnerable members of society, so I hope, notwithstanding the issues around online abuse, that the Public and Commercial Services Union will quickly draw this dispute to a close.
Jobs and Investment — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Caroline Ansell (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. Visitor destinations in Wales are, like Eastbourne, set for an unprecedented staycation summer this year, but to secure the long-term recovery of the sector, to remain internationally competitive and to fully realise the power of the visitor economy, the 5% VAT cut is key. Will he make representations to the Treasury to that effect?
Jobs and Investment — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): The 5% cut in VAT for the hospitality industry has been a boost to tourism businesses across the whole of the United Kingdom, including in Eastbourne, and it has certainly benefited many businesses that I have had the pleasure of visiting in Wales, such as the National Slate Museum at Llanberis, the zip wire at Penrhyn and Surf Snowdonia at Dolgarrog. There are fantastic opportunities to go on holiday to north Wales, to south Wales and even to Eastbourne as a result of the cut in VAT, and I hope hon. Members will take advantage of it this summer.
Jobs and Investment — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I have certainly had discussions about closures with Lloyds bank in my capacity as a constituency MP. We do not, of course, have the power to prevent independent commercial organisations from making such decisions, but it is regrettable that banks have closed down. Obviously, I would be happy to work with the hon. Lady, as I did last week when we visited the excellent Royal Mint in her constituency and met some of the kickstart workers who have benefited as a result of UK Government funding.
Jobs and Investment — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Simon Robert Maurice Baynes (Conservative, Centre-right): With its world heritage site, the Llangollen canal and the steam railway, tourism is vital for jobs and investment in Clwyd South. Does the Minister agree that the Labour Welsh Government’s plans for a tourism tax would be disastrous for the hospitality industry in Wales, particularly as we have just come out of the covid pandemic?
Jobs and Investment — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and I look forward, I hope, to an invitation to visit his constituency at some point in the future to see some of the superb tourist attractions there. The UK Government have shown their commitment to the tourism industry by cutting VAT to 5%, whereas the Welsh Labour Government want to implement a tax on the tourism industry at a time when it is at its most fragile. The UK Government will always want to level up the economy, whereas Welsh Labour will always want to levy taxes.
Professional Qualifications Bill — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government and the Business Secretary on a wide range of subjects, such as the impact of legislation on Wales. This Bill will ensure that any unnecessary and unclear barriers imposed on accessing professions—both for overseas-qualified professionals and UK nationals, including those in Wales, who are seeking to become qualified—are removed.
Professional Qualifications Bill — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
David Thomas Charles Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK Government have shown their commitment to devolution on numerous occasions and are always willing to work with the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Administrations, but at the end of the day the Bill is about ensuring that highly qualified professionals in the hon. Lady’s constituency are able to work anywhere in the UK, and I would have thought that that is something she would support.
Political Neutrality in Positions of Faith — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): I have recently been corresponding with the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding the Bishop of St Davids’ ill-advised and divisive comments on Twitter. I am sure we all agree that our religious leaders should promote tolerance and inclusiveness, and I am pleased that the Church in Wales has apologised for the bishop’s intemperate language.
Political Neutrality in Positions of Faith — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Scott Lloyd Benton (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very supportive of the actions taken by the Secretary of State involving the Bishop of St Davids, but does he agree that this issue of intolerance towards those who hold Conservative views is becoming more widespread throughout academia and public life, and that we need concerted efforts to address this?
Political Neutrality in Positions of Faith — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Simon Anthony Hart (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend knows, it appears that this sort of trolling habit is, sadly, not exclusive to the bishop; Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones has also been busy dishing out abuse, with his most recent contribution being to describe Conservative voters as the "lowest form of life". I cannot help but ask what the professor would have done and how he would have reacted if any of our colleagues had described university academics as the lowest form of life. It would have been as outrageous for him as it is for us, and I very much hope that Cardiff University will follow the example of the Archbishop of Canterbury and deal with this promptly.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): May I begin, Mr Speaker, by echoing and supporting very much your fine tribute to Ian Davis? I thank him for all his service to this House and wish him all the very best in his retirement I know that Members from across the House will want to congratulate Gareth Southgate and his team on their 2-0 win against Germany at Wembley last night—the first time that the men’s team have beaten Germany in a knockout game in 55 years. We wish them all the best for their match against Ukraine on Saturday. We will all be hoping against hope that this time, finally, football is coming home This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall have further such meetings later today.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Immigration
Katherine Fletcher (Conservative, Centre-right): After yesterday’s game, many of our German friends are heading home, but, does my right hon. Friend agree that, as the song goes, if they want to stay here drinking all our beer, they need to join the 5.6 million people who have already successfully applied for the EU settlement scheme forthwith, before today’s deadline?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Immigration
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes. I thank my hon. Friend, who is absolutely right. I am thrilled that an astonishing 5.6 million EU nationals have already applied for this wonderful scheme. I encourage anybody who is still eligible to submit their applications today.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Immigration
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): It is obvious from the statistics I have already quoted that this is an outstanding success, because we have had huge numbers of people applying. There may be people who still have to apply—there have been several extensions; it is five years now since the Brexit referendum—but we have funded 72 organisations to help vulnerable EU citizens understand what their rights are and make the applications. Anybody applying within the deadline will of course have their case dealt with, and I urge them to get on with it.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Lady because I think it was a great question, and she is absolutely right to champion grassroots sport and what it can do for young people and for the health of this country. I certainly hope that the centre she champions will be successful in the levelling-up fund, but obviously I cannot control that myself. She must make that case herself, but I am wishing her every possible good fortune.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Housing
Thomas William Randall (Conservative, Centre-right): The high street has had a difficult time lately and Gedling’s has been no exception, but Gedling Borough Council’s levelling-up fund bid will help to kick-start high street regeneration, improve Arnold town centre and encourage healthy travel in Netherfield. Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking the council officers at Gedling Borough Council, particularly Mike Hill and Joelle Davies, who have put the bid together, and does he agree that the bid can help to make Gedling an even better place in which to live, work and raise a family?
Covid-19: Impact on Attendance in Education Settings — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): On daily contact testing, that is something that Public Health England has been running trials on. We expect it to report back to the Department of Health and Social Care and to us in the coming weeks. We are very clear that we want action to be taken, and that is why we very much want to see the lifting of more restrictions and of the bubbles in schools as part of the next step. As the hon. Lady will appreciate, that decision has to be made across Government as part of the next stage of our road map, but we will of course be informing schools and keeping them up to date as to progress in plenty of time before the start of the next term The Labour party deigns to give advice. Let us not forget that its advice was to join the European Union vaccine programme. Well, where would that have got us? It was the Labour party that said that it would not be possible for schools to deliver testing right across all our schools and colleges, yet that was what we were able to do. And it was the Labour party that opposed children going back into the classroom and did not support this Government’s efforts to ensure that children were able to get their education at the earliest possible stage. At every point, the Labour party has done everything it can to frustrate and stop the opportunities for children to be in school.
Covid-19: Impact on Attendance in Education Settings — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his thoughts. We have already outlined, if he had listened to my answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon), that we are looking towards lifting the restrictions, especially bubbles, as part of the next step of the road map. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Government will, in the very near future, announce the next step of the road map, and lifting the restrictions will very much be part of that. It is important that all our actions, right across Government, are properly co-ordinated as part of a process of easing restrictions right across the country.
Covid-19: Impact on Attendance in Education Settings — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): At every stage, the Government have been one of the first to act in order to keep this country safe; this was one of the first countries in Europe to impose travel restrictions on India as a result of the delta variant. The new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Transport Secretary and the Prime Minister take that responsibility incredibly seriously.
Covid-19: Impact on Attendance in Education Settings — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Gavin Alexander Williamson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am not sure whether the hon. Lady is arguing for more restrictions or fewer—her question did not seem to be that coherent. Perhaps if she can write to me to clarify whether she is pro restrictions or against then, I would be happy to answer.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Anthony James Holland Mangnall (Conservative, Centre-right): I hope my right hon. Friend will forgive me for interrupting her, but she is making such an excellent point, and exactly the same argument can be made on tackling gender-based violence. If we want to succeed in getting women through education, then we must tackle gender-based violence. It is a comprehensive package, and that is why we need to be securing the 0.7%.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Anthony James Holland Mangnall (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sorry to interrupt my hon. Friend. It is fine if that is his argument, but surely he believes that it is right for this House to have a vote on the issue, because we are all representatives of our constituencies, and of the views of our constituents. Forget the polling and allow this place to have its say. Does he not agree with that sentiment?
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Anthony James Holland Mangnall (Conservative, Centre-right): I would respectfully say to all of my hon. Friend’s constituents—I am happy to speak at any association event in the future—that their lives are no less valuable. What we are doing here is taking money from Peter to pay Paul. We must be honest about the value.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Christian Wakeford (Conservative, Centre-right): I cannot speak for the people of Rother Valley, but to me going back to the people of Bury South and saying we support this says that we are compassionate and kind, and that we keep our promises. That is something I am proud of. That is something I want to stick up for. I want to go home and be able to tell my daughter that I did the right thing.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew John Bower Mitchell (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is making an interesting speech. I am not absolutely certain that he absorbed all the lessons from our visit to Rwanda, on which I remember that he was a tremendous colleague to have along. We are not delegates here; we are representatives. Our constituents send us here on the fine Burkean principle of exercising our judgment. When my hon. Friend says that the whole House seems to agree on this point, he is right: very large numbers of people in the House agree about it and the Government would not win a vote, I assert. Will he join me, at the very least, in saying that the House should have an opportunity to vote on this important matter, on which he and I both stood in the general election?
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Lee Benjamin Rowley (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend raises an important point, which I know he has pursued relentlessly; I am sure that he will continue to do so beyond the confines of my very limited contribution to today’s debate. I am sure that he can take the point up with a representative of the Executive, and I hope that he is successful in his course.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Immigration
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): It is a pleasure to follow my right hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire Moorlands (Karen Bradley) and to have watched her whip the Minister into submission even before he has given his speech, which I look forward to hearing because he is a most effective Minister From a right-wing point of view, the point that my right hon. Friend made was very effective. My constituents in Lincolnshire are absolutely grinding their teeth at what is happening at the channel and want the Home Office to be far more proactive. This is not the right place to talk about what the Home Office should be doing, but why are people coming here? These are not nasty people; they are desperate people fleeing the most appalling war, poverty and deprivation. The channel is proving completely ineffective. In the second world war, we held back the Nazi hordes with the RAF—we stopped them, but we cannot hold people back. We are one world. If there is dire misery and poverty in the world, it will wash up on our shores.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Other
Andrew John Bower Mitchell (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend mentioned his constituency, where he has been and is much loved for many, many years, and he says that he thinks that his advocacy may or may not convince his constituents. I have to tell him that he is the last Thatcherite—or possibly one of two—left in this House, a point that the House will award him, and I have to tell him that what he says in his constituency on this matter, and what he says to Ministers on this matter, is having a very significant effect.
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew John Bower Mitchell (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is making a brilliant speech on the link between defence and development. In the case of Yemen, we have a very complicated relationship, because of course we are part of the coalition that is bombing that country back to the stone age, but we are also trying to help those caught up in the conflict. Does he not think that the one thing we ought to be able to agree on is that we should not, at this stage, be taking food from starving people there?
Official Development Assistance and the British Council — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Christian Wakeford (Conservative, Centre-right): I intend to be helpful, but also to correct my own record: although I paid tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Anthony Mangnall), I failed to pay tribute to the hon. Member for Rotherham (Sarah Champion), not only for introducing this important debate, but for all the work that she has been doing on preventing sexual violence against women across the globe.
Financial Conduct Authority and Blackmore Bond plc — House of Commons, 2021-06-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Kevin Paul Hollinrake (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman mentions the regulatory framework, and I am sure that he will go on to say whether he feels there were also shortcomings from the regulator itself in this case. The FCA’s attention was drawn to the boiler-room tactics of Blackmore Bond and the fact that it was pretty much a Ponzi scheme back in March 2017, yet three years later the company was still operating. It is simply unacceptable that the FCA should have taken that approach and not been more proactive.