argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Mass Migration — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What assessment he has made of the likely long-term effects of the current refugee crisis on efforts to address mass migration into and within the EU.; What (a) assessment he has made and (b) discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the likely long-term effects of the current refugee crisis on efforts to address mass migration into and within the EU.; What assessment he has made of the likely long-term effects of the current refugee crisis on efforts to address mass migration into and within the EU.
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): I am happy to agree with the right hon. Gentleman that co-operation between states is the right answer. Unfortunately, however, that is not what happens when competences are ceded to the EU, which results in dictation to states by the European Union. That is a distinction that he would be well advised to study.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: If the Government will invite a Minister of the Scottish Government to join the UK delegation to the Paris climate change conference in December 2015.
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I obviously welcome the participation of Scottish and other devolved Ministers in the UK delegation, but I really think that the hon. Gentleman should do a bit of homework and remind himself that the UK is well on track to achieve its emissions reduction targets by 2020, en route to the 80% reduction by 2050. And I am sorry that he did not even mention the Prime Minister’s commitment of a further nearly £6 billion in additional climate finance to help the poorest countries to adapt to the challenge of climate change.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: If the Government will invite a Minister of the Scottish Government to join the UK delegation to the Paris climate change conference in December 2015.
Andrew Richard Rosindell (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Secretary of State agree that if the devolved Assemblies are being represented at the conference in Paris, the British overseas territories should also be given representation? They are not part of the British Isles and could therefore be affected by climate change in lots of ways. Surely they should also have a voice at this important conference.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: If the Government will invite a Minister of the Scottish Government to join the UK delegation to the Paris climate change conference in December 2015.
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): The Foreign Office will, of course, be very much involved in the UK delegation at the Paris climate change conference, and every Foreign Office Minister always keeps the interests of the British overseas territories closely in mind. We know that my hon. Friend will always make sure that we continue to do so.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: If the Government will invite a Minister of the Scottish Government to join the UK delegation to the Paris climate change conference in December 2015.
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman did not revise his question after hearing my previous answer. I remind him that not only are we on track to meet the climate change targets we have set, but we are setting a lead by committing large sums of additional British taxpayers’ money to help the poorest countries adapt to climate change. This country is the world’s sixth largest green exporter, and the record is one of which we can be proud.
Paris Climate Change Conference — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: Environment
Questions: If the Government will invite a Minister of the Scottish Government to join the UK delegation to the Paris climate change conference in December 2015.
David Roy Lidington (Conservative, Centre-right): First, may I welcome the hon. Lady to her new responsibilities on the Opposition Front Bench For the reasons I have already given, I think that this Government continue to have a good record on climate change, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister takes a very close interest in this in all the international discussions. This was a major item he discussed with President Hollande during the President’s recent visit to Chequers. We are very committed to helping the French Government to deliver an ambitious outcome at Paris which commits all countries to significant emissions reductions, and to targets binding in international law and help for the poorest countries, which will struggle most to make the change.
India (Outstanding Payments to British Companies) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Government of India on outstanding payments due to British companies for work carried out during the 2010 Commonwealth games.
Hugo Swire (Conservative, Centre-right): In the case of SIS Live, the British high commission in New Delhi has provided consistent support to the company and urged the Government of India to resolve the dispute over payment. I personally raised this issue with the Indian high commissioner just yesterday, and we will continue to press for a satisfactory settlement.
India (Outstanding Payments to British Companies) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Government of India on outstanding payments due to British companies for work carried out during the 2010 Commonwealth games.
Hugo Swire (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, we very much hope this will be resolved before Prime Minister Modi comes here shortly. The visit will be an opportunity for us to discuss a wide range of issues. Bilateral trade with India is extremely good, but what is important is the signal this matter sends to other potential British companies looking to invest in India, so we do want it resolved.
India (Outstanding Payments to British Companies) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the Government of India on outstanding payments due to British companies for work carried out during the 2010 Commonwealth games.
Hugo Swire (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much hope the right hon. Gentleman is not going to test me on my Hindi now. Of course we are all looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Modi. Quite apart from the Government-arranged events, there is going to be a huge diaspora event, in which the Prime Minister will be able to speak—I am sure the right hon. Gentleman is closely involved in organising it. Clearly, we want more British students to study in India, but the opportunities for the provision of English language teaching in India are the ones on which we should concentrate.
Japanese Foreign Policy — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): I have congratulated the Japanese Diet on passing security legislation that will allow Japan to play a greater role in maintaining international peace and security. When I visited Tokyo in August, I discussed with Foreign Minister Kishida how the UK and Japan can work together to uphold the rules-based international system, once these changes have been introduced.
Japanese Foreign Policy — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): Yes, I do. By passing this legislation, the Japanese have allowed themselves more freedom to co-operate with international partners in preserving international peace, and we are very keen that that includes more Japanese peacekeepers on UN peacekeeping operations as well as Japanese logistic support to other operations carried out by partners and allies around the world.
Japanese Foreign Policy — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): First, let me congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his very good pronunciation of those particular islands. Our position on this is clear: we do not take a position on the different claims to sovereignty over disputed territory in the East China or the South China seas. What we are clear about is two things: first, these disputes must be resolved in accordance with international law and peacefully; and secondly, the international right to freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight must be preserved. That is the position that we consistently take and that we consistently make to Japanese, Chinese and other south-east Asian interlocutors.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): We are making good progress in our discussions on reform of the EU at both a political and technical level. We will continue discussions with our EU colleagues as well as with the European Parliament and Commission ahead of the December European Council. As the Prime Minister said last week, he will also be writing to the president of the European Council in early November to set out the areas of change that we wish to achieve.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Christopher Paul Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Minister share my concern that economic and monetary union states could force new legislation on non-EMU states by commanding a majority in the EU? What measures can be put in place to ensure that a country not in the eurozone, as Britain is proud to be, can guarantee that their voice is heard in the EU as loudly as those inside the eurozone, particularly on policy relating to the single market?
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to point out that concern. It is the case that the eurozone states will have a qualified majority between them in due course. That is why part of this negotiation is about putting in place a framework to govern relationships and decision making between eurozone and non-eurozone states so that the interests of the non-eurozone states are protected as the eurozone proceeds with the closer integration that—in our judgment—will be necessary to ensure that the euro is a successful currency. That is something that is greatly in the interests of the United Kingdom.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): I can assure my hon. Friend that those issues are right up there at the front of our renegotiation strategy. Whether they like it or not, our partners across Europe understand that those are the primary concerns that the British people are expressing in opinion poll after opinion poll and during the recent general election campaign. If Britain is to be able to embrace a reformed European Union, those issues will have to be addressed in the settlement.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): Clearly, what I seek is a package of reform that will allow me and the British people to embrace enthusiastically Britain’s future in the European Union. The British people will, however, approach this process with a sceptical frame of mind. They will be looking for real and substantial reform, which is binding and enforceable and irreversible in the future. That is what we are seeking.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): We expect that some of the changes that we are seeking—by no means all, but some—will require treaty change. We are exploring in technical discussions with the Commission’s lawyers how we might enter into binding arrangements ahead of treaty change that will have the effect of binding our partners into the agreements they have made.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that apart from some technical changes relating to the right of EU citizens to claim welfare payments, the basic principle of free movement of people is not going to change in the renegotiations?
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): To be clear, I did not say that any changes will require treaty change; I said that we expect that some of the changes we are seeking will require treaty change. It is perfectly true—I do not know why the hon. Gentleman finds it so amusing, and I have said it in this House many times before—that none of our partners welcomes the idea of treaty change, but all of them accept that this is something we have to do if we are going to carry the British people with us.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that apart from some technical changes relating to the right of EU citizens to claim welfare payments, the basic principle of free movement of people is not going to change in the renegotiations?; What progress is being made to ensure that this Parliament, by itself if necessary, can say no to any unwanted EU directives, tax or regulations?
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): Part of our reform strategy is to look for a greater role for national Parliaments working together to block unwanted legislation so that we, the people of Europe, cannot have imposed on us by the Commission something that the majority of us do not want. But my hon. Friend knows that it is completely unrealistic to seek an individual national veto in all areas. A European Union of 28 member states with individual national vetoes simply would not work.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that apart from some technical changes relating to the right of EU citizens to claim welfare payments, the basic principle of free movement of people is not going to change in the renegotiations?; What progress is being made to ensure that this Parliament, by itself if necessary, can say no to any unwanted EU directives, tax or regulations?
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman is privy to some information that I am not, but last time I checked with the Prime Minister he had four categories in which he was pursuing the negotiation. On competitiveness, it is true that the mood in the European Union has changed. Since the financial and economic crisis, more and more member states are focused on the need for Europe to be able to compete in the global economy, and the Juncker Commission is focused on an agenda. We think it could go further; we would like it to be more ambitious, but it is pointing in the right direction. Our challenge is to institutionalise that change and make sure that the European Union is firmly pointed in that direction as a matter of institutional structure, not of individual Commission choice.
European Union Reform (Negotiations) — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that apart from some technical changes relating to the right of EU citizens to claim welfare payments, the basic principle of free movement of people is not going to change in the renegotiations?; What progress is being made to ensure that this Parliament, by itself if necessary, can say no to any unwanted EU directives, tax or regulations?; The Foreign Secretary said that our renegotiation will require a treaty change. Does he see that occurring before or after the proposed EU referendum, and will that treaty change trigger a second referendum?
Philip Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): We are exploring with the Commission legal services and others the possibility of binding legal commitments like the protocols that were entered into by Denmark and Ireland that will be incorporated into the treaties at the next available treaty change. That will give us what the British people need, which is assurance that the agreements that have been entered into will be complied with by the other member states.
Somalia — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Christopher Heaton-Harris (Conservative, Centre-right): Much of the rebuilding work in Somalia has been undertaken by Britain and led by the British Government. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that economic and infrastructure development in Somalia goes hand in hand with peace and security?
Somalia — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Grant Shapps (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I was in Mogadishu in July and saw some of that work taking place. Britain’s influence there should not be underestimated. America has its embassy in Nairobi, and no other EU state has a presence in Somalia, so Britain is the only EU country with an embassy in Mogadishu. From there we give technical, logistical and planning assistance, which the Government there very much welcome.
Somalia — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Jeremy John Elton Lefroy (Conservative, Centre-right): May I pay tribute to the work of the African Union peacekeeping forces from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, who have lost more than 1,000 lives in returning Mogadishu and much of the rest of Somalia to a form of peace? What does the United Kingdom propose to do to continue to support these brave men and women?
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We are deeply concerned by the recent violence and terrorist attacks across the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. Our immediate focus is on urging all sides to encourage calm, take steps to de-escalate and avoid any measures that could further inflame the situation.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Oliver James Dowden (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Minister agree that there can be no justification whatsoever for random terror attacks on Israelis in the streets of Israel? They are just like us: normal people trying to go about their ordinary lives. We should be absolutely clear in condemning that sort of activity.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I absolutely concur with my hon. Friend and condemn the violence that has taken place across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. There is no place for the sorts of terrorist attacks we have seen, and the effect they are having on innocent civilians’ sense of safety is appalling.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We recognise that there are frustrations due to the lack of progress towards peace, and we share those frustrations. The peace process was launched more than two decades ago, yet we still have not achieved the two-state solution that was envisaged, but there is absolutely no justification for the sorts of attacks we have seen.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): President Abbas has condemned the use of violence and reiterated the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to reaching a political solution by peaceful means. We have seen tensions spike in the past, but it does seem different this time, with young people seemingly unafraid of death and brandishing knives, knowing what the consequences will be. The pattern so far has been one of lone wolf, low-tech attacks, but the escalation and the tensions are certainly worrying.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What discussions has the Minister had with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Gaza reconstruction mechanism? One hundred thousand people have been displaced, and no homes have been built since July. What are we doing about that?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Prime Minister Netanyahu visited recently. We have been making every effort to promote calm. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have spoken to key regional leaders over the recent weeks, and British officials have been pressing both sides to take steps to de-escalate the situation.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What discussions has the Minister had with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Gaza reconstruction mechanism? One hundred thousand people have been displaced, and no homes have been built since July. What are we doing about that?; What assessment has the Minister made about the significant damage to the holy site of Joseph’s tomb at Nablus, which was destroyed by up to 100 Palestinian rioters?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): As I say, the Foreign Secretary spoke to President Abbas last week. We are encouraging him to work with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We are also aware that the US is looking at the situation very closely, and Secretary Kerry is ready to visit the region when appropriate.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What discussions has the Minister had with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Gaza reconstruction mechanism? One hundred thousand people have been displaced, and no homes have been built since July. What are we doing about that?; What assessment has the Minister made about the significant damage to the holy site of Joseph’s tomb at Nablus, which was destroyed by up to 100 Palestinian rioters?; Earlier this month, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas proclaimed:“We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem…With the help of Allah, every martyr will be in heaven, and every wounded will get his reward.”Does my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary share my concern that such provocative remarks have fuelled the recent wave of deadly attacks on Israel? What more can we do to help?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): There has been too much provocation on both sides. The current violence underlines the fact that a lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We have been round this buoy many times. The Oslo accords seem in the far distant past, and the tensions are ratcheting up again. We call on both sides to come together.
Israel and Palestine — House of Commons, 2015-10-20
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What discussions has the Minister had with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the Gaza reconstruction mechanism? One hundred thousand people have been displaced, and no homes have been built since July. What are we doing about that?; What assessment has the Minister made about the significant damage to the holy site of Joseph’s tomb at Nablus, which was destroyed by up to 100 Palestinian rioters?; Earlier this month, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas proclaimed:“We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem…With the help of Allah, every martyr will be in heaven, and every wounded will get his reward.”Does my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary share my concern that such provocative remarks have fuelled the recent wave of deadly attacks on Israel? What more can we do to help?
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): We can recall what has happened in the past when the violence has ratcheted up to the levels that we are seeing today. That is why we are urging all sides to come together to avoid what we have seen in the past.