argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Health
Questions: Although we welcome the Gigabit voucher scheme, which was introduced by my right hon. Friend, may I ask him what steps he has taken to explore alternative methods of broadband delivery, such as TV white space, as in the project that is currently being trialled in Kinross-shire in my constituency?; There is enormous potential in 5G mobile technology, especially to enable the delivery of our industrial strategy to the whole UK, so what will the Secretary of State do to ensure that our great towns keep pace with our cities?; Yesterday, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee approved a draft of the proposed directive on copyright in the digital single market. Does the Minister agree that we cannot miss the significant opportunity to address the transfer value experienced by the music industry, and will he assure the House that the Government remain committed to closing the value gap and ensuring that our great British creators, and those who invest in them, are properly rewarded for the use of their work?; In their election manifesto, the Tories promised:“Our Universal Service Obligation will ensure that by 2020 every home and business in Britain has access to high speed broadband.” No ifs, no buts. Can the Secretary of State confirm that that is still the Government’s position, and that every home and business will be connected by 2020?; We have with us here today pupils and staff from Wick high school, in my constituency, who have won a national first prize for inventing a very clever cycling safety device. What will the Government do to ensure that these pupils have the best possible access to state-of-the-art digital communications, so that they can make the very best of their future careers?
Tracey Elizabeth Anne Crouch (Conservative, Centre-right): We already have a levy, but it is a voluntary levy, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman saw that earlier this week the Secretary of State visited the NHS gambling addiction centre and has pledged to work very closely with Public Health England to ensure we continue to fund help for those with gambling addictions.
Cyber-space: International Law — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Alexander John Gervase Chalk (Conservative, Centre-right): It has been accepted by the NATO Secretary-General that cyber-attacks can, of themselves, trigger the collective defence provisions within article 5. What is less clear is the nature and extent of such a cyber-attack that would cross that crucial threshold. Given the potential repercussions, do we not need clarity on this as a matter of urgency?
Cyber-space: International Law — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Jeremy Paul Wright (Conservative, Centre-right): We do, and my speech was intended to deliver at least some of that clarity. My hon. Friend is entirely right, and I believe it has now been established that the provisions of the UN charter that mean states are entitled to defend themselves from armed attack also apply in cyber-space. If a cyber-attack is essentially equivalent to an armed attack in its effects, it seems to me appropriate that it should be treated as such. This country is entitled to respond by cyber means, or by other means that are necessary and proportionate.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his questions. I appreciate his interest in, and concern about, these important matters. If I may, I will probably write to him in more detail, because he set out a series of questions, but I will give him an overview now to reassure him that the bidding process was absolutely robust I did go to some length in my opening remarks to reassure the hon. Gentleman that we were looking at a number of companies—Serco, Babcock and QinetiQ, as well as an in-house offering—to ensure that we have a robust system that meets our responsibility to eliminate any problem related to fire. The actual bid process itself was competitive. There was robust evaluation modelling—it involved not just the MOD, but the Treasury, the Cabinet Office and indeed the three services—to make sure that we have the necessary processes in place to manage what will be an umbrella organisation As the hon. Gentleman knows, the way in which our fire service is conducted means that we have responsibility inside the wire. There is also civil capability, and RAF and naval personnel are cap badged to provide fire capability, too. We also lean occasionally, when required, on local authorities, and that relationship will continue, but overall control will come from Capita itself. Having said that, the actual responsibility will be managed by the Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation, which, as I have said, will continue to scrutinise the performance of Capita itself The hon. Gentleman is right to raise concerns about the workers themselves. Just under 600 civilian workers will be transferred across. I absolutely hope that this will not lead to any changes. If there are any, I hope that they will be done through redundancies. We are looking for investment in new machines, new technology, new capability and new safety measures, which will hopefully be welcomed by Members on both sides of the House.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Short and to the point, as ever. As I just mentioned, there will be investment in new technology—we need investment in new fire service vehicles—as well as training methods, collaboration and response times so that we can respond to any fire at any time. These changes will make the work of the fire service personnel safer.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I can only repeat what I said earlier: there was a robust bidding process and it was deemed that Capita offered the greatest contract we could have. Concerns have been raised about Capita in other areas—recruitment, for example, has been mentioned—but I am convinced that the necessary scrutiny is in place to provide the best deal and the necessary support for our fire service.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for that question, although it almost tempts me down a rabbit hole that I have occasionally gone down before. While I support the increase in the budget for the health service, I must reiterate that the UK’s defence posture is such that we must invest in our armed forces as well. Having said that, there is an obligation—a requirement; a duty—on the armed forces and the MOD to make efficiencies and savings, without affecting risk, and this is one area where we can do that and reinvest the savings in defence.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady follows these issues very closely, and I pay tribute to her for her interest and expertise in this matter, which the House greatly appreciates. I agree that, for various reasons, this has taken too long. The contract process was run in accordance with the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, but it has taken too long for various reasons, some of which I have covered, including the number of stakeholders that had to scrutinise and agree the bidding process, and confirm the successful bidder. I take her point on board, however, and we will make sure as we do the evaluation that her concerns are met.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend makes an important point. This is not just about savings; it is about the responsibilities of our defence fire service, which not only has the duty of looking after our airfields, ports, ships and bases, but has the responsibility of being on standby to help its civilian counterparts in extreme cases. It is important that we can invest in the necessary high-tech machinery and fire service capability. That is what will lead to savings in the long term.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): May I welcome the fact that the right hon. Gentleman’s party—if he is speaking on its behalf—recognises the importance of the private sector in such cases? However, as the hon. Member for Leeds North East (Fabian Hamilton) said, this should not apply at any cost or under any circumstances. A series of Governments—not just Conservative or coalition, but also Labour—have outsourced responsibility for firefighting from the armed forces over the past few decades, so it is very important that the necessary robust processes are in place to ensure that these contracts are met. We have around 60 contracts with Capita. Its responsibility is not to run the day-to-day things. Many people providing the fire service capability will continue on. This is about the management and organisation that Capita brings.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We are wandering into a very different subject, which is related to this matter only because of the company involved. The challenge that we have with recruitment is that the gene pool of people from which we are recruiting is of a particular age group and a particular level of fitness. In this day and age, that is a very competitive environment; it is not just Capita that is going out and doing recruitment. Capita works very closely with all three services. But, yes, it is a tough environment—I do not doubt that—and we need to do more to attract the brightest and best to be in the most professional armed force in the world.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Particular terms and conditions will apply to our overseas bases, and there will be contracts in place. I think that nine airfields are already running under privatised contracts, so the question mark over a particular airfield may be subject to existing arrangements.
Defence Fire and Rescue Project: Capita — House of Commons, 2018-06-21
Topic: Defense
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I hope that I speak on behalf of the whole House in paying tribute to the incredible bravery, commitment and determination of all our emergency services. There are specific harmony guidelines in place to ensure that they are able to meet their requirements, see their families and do their duties, and I am sure that they will be continued under this new contract.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): We are bringing a tech revolution to the NHS to improve patient outcomes and reduce waste. Today I am delighted to announce the selection of the first batch of products under the accelerated access collaborative, as well as funding for tech test beds to ensure that more patients get faster access to the most effective innovations.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Scott Leslie Mann (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his answer. Will he expand further on the recent announcement of the wave 2 test beds project and how it could deliver better outcomes for my residents down in Cornwall?
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): The tech test beds programme is about ensuring that we have units around the country that will support local collaborations between the NHS, tech companies and academia to harness new technologies right across the land, including—and no doubt—in Cornwall.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Julian Charles Sturdy (Conservative, Centre-right): The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has so far declined to recommend the new drug Spinraza, despite its ability to transform the lives of patients such as my young constituent Matilda Jamieson, who suffers from type 3 spinal muscular atrophy. As NICE meets today to finalise the guidance, will my right hon. Friend assure me that he will work with the manufacturers, NHS England and NICE to ensure that patients such as Matilda can benefit from that drug?
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for making that case so powerfully. We work very closely with NICE, which is rightly the objective decision maker that makes recommendations for Ministers to follow about what drugs should and should not be accessed through the NHS. He makes the case very strongly.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): Having a flu jab is incredibly important, and I hope that Members on both sides of the House have taken the opportunity to do so, including the right hon. Gentleman, with whom I enjoyed working for many years. We have a phased roll-out of the flu jab, making sure that we get the best flu jab most appropriately to the people who need it most, and of course we keep that under review.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Sarah James (Wollaston) (Conservative, Centre-right): Digital health tools, including decision-support software, have a great potential to increase the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care for patients, and nowhere is that more important than in reducing antimicrobial resistance. Will my right hon. Friend respond to the points that we on the Health and Social Care Committee make in our report about the variation in roll-out, which is wholly unacceptable, and what measures will he take to make sure that it is clear where the responsibility for this lies?
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to the Select Committee for the report on AMR that was published yesterday. Of course, digital tools such as the one that my hon. Friend mentions are important in making sure that we make the best use of antibiotics and counter antimicrobial resistance as much as possible.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): Unlike with the failed national programme for IT, we are delivering modern technology in the national health service. That is underpinned by a record commitment of £20 billion extra for the NHS over the next five years, accompanied by a long-term plan that will show how we will support the NHS and make sure that it is guaranteed to be there for the long term.
NHS Innovation — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman has it slightly muddled up, because technology does involve capital investment, but it also includes revenue investment to ensure that the service element of any technology can continue to be delivered. Maybe he should have another look at how technology is delivered these days. Alongside the capital budget, we have record spending on the NHS to ensure that it is there for the long term. Of course public health is an important element of that, and there has been £16 billion for public health over this spending review period because it really matters.
Childhood Obesity — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Charles Brine (Conservative, Centre-right): This June we published chapter 2 of the childhood obesity plan, which built on the world-leading measures we introduced in 2016 and included bold plans to halve childhood obesity by 2030. Our consultations on banning energy drinks and on calorie labelling are now open. Later this year we will be consulting on promotion and marketing restrictions, including suggestions of a 9 pm watershed.
Childhood Obesity — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Peter James Guy Aldous (Conservative, Centre-right): The feedback that I receive locally in Waveney is that childhood obesity needs to be tackled by Government Departments, clinical commissioning groups, medical centres and councils working together, whether in schools or by encouraging breastfeeding and the preparation of weaning foods. Can the Minister confirm that he is pursuing such a multi-agency approach?
Childhood Obesity — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Mary Josephine Robinson (Conservative, Centre-right): One in five children in Greater Manchester are classified as overweight or obese, but Prospect Vale Primary School in Heald Green is just one of the schools in my constituency that are getting on and getting moving through the Daily Mile campaign. Will the Minister join me in welcoming that initiative, which brings daily fun and fitness into schools? As more and more adults use wristbands to help them to get fit, what consideration is being given to the use of technology, such as in the UK Fit Kids programme?
Childhood Obesity — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Charles Brine (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, and I am a big supporter of breastfeeding—I have supported it a lot in my constituency, and we engage regularly with the sector. I will be interested in any proposals that the hon. Lady has.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): Having committed an additional £20 billion in real terms, the Government are asking the NHS to deliver a long-term plan that includes continued improvements in productivity and efficiency, and we are reinvesting the savings in improved patient care.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Damien Moore (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate my hon. Friend on his drive to recycle more hospital equipment such as zimmer frames, crutches and wheelchairs, but what steps is his Department taking to encourage more hospitals such as Southport Hospital in my constituency to run recycling programmes to reduce waste in our NHS?
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I am keen to work with my hon. Friend to encourage Southport and other trusts to recycle equipment. I know from my family’s experience that it causes significant frustration when people see hospitals not collecting perfectly good medical equipment that could be recycled. I am keen to work with him and with trusts to ensure that we learn from that.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Alan Mak (Conservative, Centre-right): Digitising patient records and removing outdated technologies such as fax machines can improve productivity and patient care across the NHS. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to prepare the NHS for the fourth industrial revolution?
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I commend my hon. Friend for his excellent report for the Centre for Policy Studies, which highlights the opportunities provided by technology. I was at a Scan4Safety event last night, looking at how barcodes are being used at six trusts, and at how that could be expanded to deliver 4:1 efficiency savings and improve patient care through the safety it offers.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady may have missed our recent announcement of significant additional funding, ahead of winter pressure, to assist hospitals. As the Secretary of State announced, the extra £20.5 billion real-terms increase is part of a wider commitment to support our hospitals.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
David Arthur Stephen Tredinnick (Conservative, Centre-right): Is the Minister aware that in terms of value for money and efficiency, the Government of India’s integrated health Ministry has half a million ayurvedic doctors and a quarter of a million homeopathic doctors? At a clinic I visited recently in Karnataka province, four fifths of the patients who would have normally gone to see a western doctor were treated by those local doctors. Will he build links with the Indian Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy?
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the longevity and sincerity of his campaigning on these issues. He draws attention to the wider point of how patients presenting with multiple and complex conditions need to be treated in multiple ways, and what he refers to is a part of that wider discussion.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady, very astutely and correctly, identifies the issue, which is how we ensure value for money from specials. Indeed, I commend The Times for highlighting a number of these issues. We are looking at this area. As we commit an extra £20 billion in funding to the NHS, our commitment is to ensure that we derive value for money from that investment. That applies to specials, too.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Daniel Double (Conservative, Centre-right): As the first port of call for patients with often minor ailments, community pharmacists can really help to improve the efficiency of the NHS by taking pressure off GPs. What plans do the Government have to support and enhance the role of community pharmacists?
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the valuable role played by pharmacies. This is part of a wider education campaign within the NHS and increased access to clinicians, such as through 111, is another component of that. We want to ensure that rather than people’s first port of call being a GP, they access the NHS and pharmacies at the appropriate time.
NHS: Value for Money and Efficiency — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Stephen Paul Barclay (Conservative, Centre-right): As it happens, I will be at an event with NHS providers—chief execs—this evening, when I am sure that this will be one of a number of issues that we will discuss. The hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention to the very high private finance initiative costs that many trusts face due to contracts signed under the previous Labour Government. That is a real pressure faced by many trusts.
Global Mental Health Summit — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Matthew John David Hancock (Conservative, Centre-right): This month, we hosted the world’s first ever global ministerial mental health summit. Over 60 countries were represented, and they were united in the ambition to achieve equality for mental and physical health. The legacy of the summit will continue, with the baton now passed to the Netherlands, which has committed to host next year.
Global Mental Health Summit — House of Commons, 2018-10-23
Topic: Health
Richard Benyon (Conservative, Centre-right): At the summit, I hope that the Government were applauded for appointing a Minister for suicide prevention. Will my right hon. Friend reflect on the fact that many people contemplating taking their life end up in A&E or in police stations, and will he look at James’ Place in Liverpool? That non-clinical centre catches young men in particular, who are very often the victims of this problem, and deals with their mental health issues.