argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises one of the challenges we face. There are around 6,000 people in Greece who receive British pensions or British public sector pensions, and around 2,500 of them have Greek bank accounts into which the payments are made. We cannot protect people’s Greek bank accounts in such a situation—that is for the Greek authorities to do—which is why we are contacting the individuals concerned and saying that if they wish to have the payments made into British or non-Greek bank accounts, we will make that switch as soon as we can. We are ready to do that immediately.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): It has long been the practice—it has certainly been my practice and, to be fair, also that of my immediate predecessors—not to comment on the value of the currency, and I do not intend to do so today.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I will not attempt to say the Latin phrase that Palmerston used at the time of the Don Pacifico affair, but I will say that we of course stand ready to help British holidaymakers. The best thing that they can do is ensure that they are well prepared, and the best thing that we can do is ensure that the advice they need is provided. Greece is clearly one of the most popular holiday destinations; at the moment 150,000 British citizens go there every week in July. That is why we have changed the travel advice and said clearly that people should take with them the euros they need for their holiday, or at least not assume that getting cash out of an ATM will be straightforward. They need to think through those issues, which is why we are providing that advice.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Immigration
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course, Greece has an effective police force. The advice we are giving to people is just the commonsensical advice that they should look after their possessions when they are on holiday, and of course people do that. It is all part of the full travel advice that is on the website.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. There is still a lot of interest but very little time. I will try to take a few more questions on this statement, but I give notice to colleagues that it will almost certainly not be possible to accommodate everybody. There are swings and roundabouts in these things, as Members know.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I have absolutely no idea; I thought it was one of the better speeches I gave over the past five years. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that I repeated exactly those arguments, including the phrase about the challenge of Britain having to choose, in the Mansion House speech that I gave just a couple of weeks ago. That is certainly up on the Treasury website.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree with my hon. Friend that the Greek economy needs to be more competitive. Clearly—I think this is the universal observation—the Greek economy needs important structural reforms. Ultimately, those have to be delivered by the Greek Parliament and by Greek Governments. Of course, we are happy to provide assistance. Indeed, over the past five years we have provided advice and assistance to the Greek Treasury and others about how to undertake those reforms. There is now the more immediate issue of the referendum.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman asks a perfectly fair question. We have thought about this quite carefully. Clearly, it is a very uncertain situation. As things stand, the Greek Government have gone to considerable lengths to try to make sure that tourists can continue to access cash through ATMs and that the payments that they make with credit cards and the like are accepted by Greek businesses. It is an uncertain situation that is changing rapidly, and of course people could be on holiday when it does change, so we are suggesting to them that they be prepared. That advice will be updated whenever it needs to change; we keep it under constant review.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Spencer Cleverly (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the mitigations that my right hon. Friend has put in place to protect British citizens and the British economy, but I cannot see an outcome to the current Greek situation that will not have a detrimental effect on the British economy. Will he therefore assure this House that as part of the long-term economic plan he will include a commitment to expand and extend our trading relationships globally, particularly to fast-growth Commonwealth economies, to help spread our risk?
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I can absolutely give that assurance to my hon. Friend and his constituents in North Devon: we are never going to join the euro. Because of all the conditions that come with membership, we do not think it would be in the economic interests of the United Kingdom. We have consistently held that position. I pay tribute to the person I used to work for and who has now left the House, William Hague, who stood out against the consensus in the late 1990s and helped keep Britain out of the euro.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said in my statement, there are four branches of Greek banks in the UK. They have total deposits of about £200 million, which is, of course, a significant sum of money, but it is not that large compared with many other banking deposits, and the number of account holders is relatively low. I have made it very clear today that those account holders are not covered by the UK deposit protection scheme. I should also say that most of those individuals are not British citizens.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): UK banking exposure to Greece is dramatically less than it was in 2012, when there were very real concerns about a Greek exit from the euro. That is also the case with regard to the exposure of French and German banks to Greece, which, of course, has a knock-on effect on the UK. As I have said, less than 1% of the core tier 1 capital of the UK banks is in Greek debt, and I think they are well prepared for whatever eventualities unfold.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course, there are occasions when we have to tell our friends things they do not want to hear, but it is also a good rule in life to pick our moment and I am not sure that this is the right moment.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I am keen to accommodate the remaining interest, but only on the assumption that we can wrap this up by 6.30, so I appeal for extreme brevity, to be exemplified by the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Gwynne).
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Morris (Conservative, Centre-right): Notwithstanding the steps the Chancellor has taken to contain the immediate crisis, does he agree that the broader lesson for Europe is that unless countries are determined to reform their welfare system, tackle public sector pensions and improve competitiveness, we may see other such crises in southern Europe?
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Chris Ian Brian Mynott Philp (Conservative, Centre-right): The Chancellor has already assured the House that, thanks to the Government’s actions, UK banks are strong enough to withstand any Greek crisis. Are any European financial institutions of concern to the Chancellor, and do UK pension funds and insurance companies have any alarming exposures?
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): Across the British financial system, there has been a very marked reduction in our exposure to the Greek economy and banking system over the past couple of years, so we are much less exposed to the direct consequences of financial problems in Greece than we would have been a few years ago. More broadly, that is also the case across the European economy. The biggest risk that we faced a few years ago was our exposure to economies and banking systems in other eurozone countries that had relationships with Greek banks, but they too have reduced their exposures.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
David Thomas Morris (Conservative, Centre-right): As the Government’s self-employment ambassador, I have had texts from a lot of people during this statement. They are worried about late payments by businesses in Greece and, more to the point, draconian steps that may be taken by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Will the Chancellor reiterate the steps that could help such small enterprises to flourish by being paid more quickly?
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
George Gideon Oliver Osborne (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much commend my hon. Friend for the work he does. Let me reiterate that HMRC is ready to operate the time to pay scheme to help both the self-employed and small businesses—and, indeed, larger firms—who have problems because there have some kind of financial transaction with a Greek company and have been caught up in the Greek Government’s capital controls. There is advice on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills website, and they can get bespoke advice by phoning the helpline.
Greece — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative, Centre-right): It is worth placing on the record my constituents’ gratitude to the Chancellor for taking us out of the eurozone bail-out mechanism. London serves as a centre for the Greek shipping industry. What assessment has the Chancellor made of the impact on that industry of the crisis in Greece?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very grateful to the hon. Lady for her point of order and the courteous terms with which she phrased it. Yes, the short answer is that there is a long-standing convention that Members notify each other in advance of what might be called public visits to each others’ constituencies. That is certainly, therefore, an obligation incumbent upon Ministers, a fact reflected in the content of the "Ministerial Code". The hon. Lady has, at a very early stage in her career, discovered an important way to register her grievance with Government Front Benchers. She has done it through her point of order, the contents of which I feel sure will be winging its way to relevant Ministers almost before I have sat down.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Housing
Christopher Laurie Malthouse (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I, too, am new to this House and it struck me, at my desk this morning, that I may have erred. Earlier this month, I participated in an Opposition debate on housing. I did not, and should have, drawn the attention of the House to the fact that I have a modest investment in a specialist housing provider in the north of England. I apologise to you and to the House for this oversight, and I am grateful to you for the chance to correct it.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman has corrected the record. Each Member is responsible for what he or she says by way of declaration, but in general terms—I thank the hon. Gentleman for putting the record straight and for his courtesy—it is probably better, particularly in the climate of our times, to err on the side of over-declaration rather than under-declaration. I thank him for what he has said, and the House will do so.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I react with caution to the point of order from the hon. Gentleman, to whom I am grateful for giving me advance notice of his intention to raise it. Certainly, Sinn Féin Members—it is to such a Member, clearly, that he is referring—have access to Central Lobby, just as any member of the public visiting the House enjoys such access. It is, of course, incumbent on all Members—those who have sworn in and those who have not—to ensure that the visitors they accompany behave appropriately and respect the rules on access. It is also, of course—this should go without saying—incumbent on Members themselves to demonstrate such respect. I cannot go beyond that relatively general statement, as I not familiar with the detail that the hon. Gentleman might have in mind, but I hope that that is a useful rubric If there are no further points of order and the House’s appetite has now been satisfied, we can now move on to the presentation of Bills.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): That is a good point, and I agree entirely. It does not make sense. One Parliament might be trying to manage its own affairs by setting bands responsibly, but another Parliament could cut the ground from beneath its feet by changing the threshold. I do not know why the power has been reserved, but no doubt the Minister will tell us.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Julian Egerton Leigh (Conservative, Centre-right): I entirely accept where the hon. Gentleman is coming from in saying that he wants responsibility to be shared throughout the United Kingdom. However, can he explain why we should share responsibility over thresholds but not, apparently, over bands or rates? I cannot see the logic of that.
Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said, a decision was made by the Scottish Government, believing that the efficiency savings were more than sufficient to outweigh the costs incurred by losing the section 33 refund. That was the basis for the decision, and the position in respect of section 33 was clear.
Post Office Horizon System — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew James Bridgen (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman tells a tale which has been told too long to the working group. We need to bring matters to a head and I hope the debate tonight will give us an opportunity to do so The mediation scheme that was set up to handle disputes about the software system has not delivered what Members of this House had understood was agreed at its inception. It was flawed in a number of ways, the most significant being that it excluded those who had pleaded guilty.
Post Office Horizon System — House of Commons, 2015-06-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew James Bridgen (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister should be aware that one of the criteria given by the Post Office for removing cases from mediation was if a very large claim was involved. Those sub-postmasters who have suffered the greatest loss and the greatest injustice were therefore immediately excluded from the mediation system.
Wind Power — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Housing
Nigel Martin Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): If the Minister wants good will towards these hideous and useless items of industrial furniture, then he really does need to have another word with his planning inspectors. There is no way, had he done so, that they would have overturned the decision of the local authority against three wind turbines in the village of Langho that are incredibly unpleasant. The whole community and all the councillors were against them, but now the community has to put up with them. Will he have another word with his inspectors?
Common Agricultural Policy Funds — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Charles George Eustice (Conservative, Centre-right): We will consider implementation as part of the review. We have always made it clear that changing allocations before 2020—within the current programme—would have some legal difficulties, as well as practical difficulties for other Administrations. At the very latest, the changes will take effect from 2020.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Philip Thomas Hollobone (Conservative, Centre-right): Northamptonshire Action with Communities in Rural England does a fantastic job in support of local parish councils and other village communities in the borough of Kettering and across the county. What confidence can the Secretary of State give Northamptonshire ACRE and parish councils that the future funding for ACRE will be secure?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: Many of my constituents are concerned about the levels of sea bass stocks and measures taken to support them. Will the Minister indicate what action the Government are taking to tackle this important problem?; My constituents who run rural businesses were very disappointed that the north Pennines LEADER bid for support was turned down. They think mistakes were made in the assessment. Will the Minister undertake to ensure that the bid is re-examined?; The Secretary of State is already the toast of the people of Southwell after she gave them the flood grants they had so dearly asked for, but she could cement her reputation in this part of Nottinghamshire by helping us to export our greatest gift to the world’s tables: the bramley apple. As everyone knows, the bramley apple was created by Miss Brailsford of Southwell, although the name was ruthlessly taken by the local butcher, Mr Bramley. The bramley apple is of course ubiquitous in this country, but is virtually unexportable because it is not known in the rest of the world. Can the Secretary of State reassure us that, with the staff and expertise she is building in new markets, she is developing expertise in branding so that we can create great British brands, which is the key to export?; Super- markets are putting huge financial pressures on suppliers in the food industry. That is not benefiting the consumer, and it is driving wages and terms and conditions down for people who work in the industry. Is it not high time the Government considered regulating supermarkets?
Elizabeth Mary Truss (Conservative, Centre-right): As I mentioned earlier, last night we laid regulations to enable the Groceries Code Adjudicator to have the power to fine supermarkets. I have regular meetings with supermarkets. [Interruption.] It will be able to fine up to 1%, which is a significant sum.
Economy — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Other
Questions: What assessment he has made of the implications for the Commissioners’ policies of the Church of England report, “On Rock or Sand”, published on 21 January 2015.
Anthony Brian Baldry (Conservative, Centre-right): The central argument of "On Rock or Sand" is that we should seek to enhance the well-being, and the personal and communal flourishing, of all in society, and to seek the common good—or the "common profit", as the book calls it—and that no one should be left behind. These are principles entirely in accord with the objectives of the Church Commissioners.
Economy — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the implications for the Commissioners’ policies of the Church of England report, “On Rock or Sand”, published on 21 January 2015.
Anne McIntosh (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure the whole House would wish to congratulate my right hon. Friend on being made a lay canon of Christ Church cathedral, Oxford, this weekend. This is only the first or second occasion on which a Second Church Commissioner’s work has been recognised in this way. I heartily congratulate my right hon. Friend. May I ask him to turn his big gun on my question? [Laughter.] Does he agree that when money rules, we remember the price of things but forget their value, and that while retail therapy has a role to play, everything should be done in moderation?
Economy — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Other
Questions: What assessment he has made of the implications for the Commissioners’ policies of the Church of England report, “On Rock or Sand”, published on 21 January 2015.
Anthony Brian Baldry (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, but we have heard quite enough weightist comments. I note that Quentin Letts described me yesterday as some sort of human shield for Prime Minister’s questions This is an excellent book. I commend it to every colleague as Lenten reading, and I shall put a copy in the House of Commons Library. I think that colleagues should read it because many of the commentaries were written by people who had not read the book, but were simply commenting on what other commentators had said. That started with one journalist quoting from it selectively. I think that everyone in the House wants no one to be left behind, and that the essays in this book are well worth all of us reflecting on.
Investment: Pharmaceutical Companies — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Anthony Brian Baldry (Conservative, Centre-right): We seem to have skipped the question tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall), and to have skipped the hon. Lady’s preliminary question, so I shall reply to her question as if it were a supplementary The Archbishop of Canterbury’s task group on responsible credit and savings has received £150,000 funding from the Treasury for a trial of savings clubs known as "life savers" in six schools located in various parts of the country. I entirely agree with the hon. Lady’s point about the importance of financial education. If the trial works, the Church of England intends to extend the programme to more than 100 Church of England schools over a four-year period, which will benefit more than 30,000 children.
Anglican Communion Tour — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What discussions the Commissioners have had with the Archbishop of Canterbury on lessons learnt for the Church from his year-long tour of the Anglican Communion
Anthony Brian Baldry (Conservative, Centre-right): The Archbishop of Canterbury visited 36 of his fellow archbishops during his pilgrimage around the Anglican Communion. In his presidential address to the General Synod in November, he reported that it was a "flourishing…but also a divided Communion."
Anglican Communion Tour — House of Commons, 2015-01-29
Topic: Civil Rights
Questions: What discussions the Commissioners have had with the Archbishop of Canterbury on lessons learnt for the Church from his year-long tour of the Anglican Communion
David Nuttall (Conservative, Centre-right): The Archbishop of Canterbury will have encountered widespread concern in the Church of England about the difficulties faced by Christians in other parts of the world. What is the Church doing to help those in other countries, particularly in the middle east, who are persecuted because of their religious beliefs?