argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia) — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Government Operations
Elizabeth Mary Truss (Conservative, Centre-right): I acknowledged in my statement that there have been errors in the way that this procedure has been followed, which is why we have put in place interim measures to deal with this and are conducting an internal review, as well as an investigation by another Government Department.
Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia) — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Foreign Trade
Elizabeth Mary Truss (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman makes an effective point, but the specific issue I deal with as Secretary of State for International Trade is making sure that our export licensing regime is in line with the process that we have laid out as well as the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia) — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Labor
Elizabeth Mary Truss (Conservative, Centre-right): As I have said, errors were made and that is why we have asked the director general at the Department for Work and Pensions to conduct a full review of how this process is being operated.
Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia) — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Government Operations
Elizabeth Mary Truss (Conservative, Centre-right): This specific issue is how our process was administered within government. The specific cause of these errors, as we have identified so far, has been the lack of information sharing, but of course I will take up the right hon. Gentleman’s point too.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I have outlined what the Government are doing, but the Leader of the Opposition mentioned the murder of Jo Cox—a dreadful crime committed by an extremist. Many of us who were in the House at that time remember exactly where we were when we heard the news of that appalling attack—in my case, I was attending a constituency event. In the same way, many from a previous generation of politics remember where they were when they heard that our colleagues Anthony Berry, Robert Buckland and Airey Neave had been assassinated by those looking to bring terror to this country The biggest issue is that delay will just bring more division to this country—
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I see her indicating that that is the case What would inflame the debate further is the idea that we should just have more delay and people feeling that when they do vote and want to have a say, they are ignored. That is why we need to bring the Brexit matter to a resolution, as the Government are seeking to do.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): As a junior Minister, it is always good to benefit from the advice of the Father of the House. I reassure him that the Government’s strategy is to do what the vast majority of the nation want, which is to bring a resolution to Brexit and deliver the referendum result. I know that the Father of the House has voted for deals and has seen that as compromising and moving forward. The Government will look to fight a general election on a platform of resolving Brexit, no more pointless delay, bringing 20,000 extra police officers on to our streets, increasing school funding and taking our economy forward. I have to say that our platform will be far stronger than that of the Opposition.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Government Operations
Justine Greening (Conservative, Centre-right): Like many people in this Chamber, I was shocked by the unacceptable conduct of the Prime Minister and particularly by his attitude, which succeeded that of the Attorney General earlier in the day, to how this House works. My concern is that these institutions—both the Supreme Court and the judiciary, which we debated earlier, and Parliament, where laws are set in the first place—are absolutely crucial to the wellbeing of people in our country. We all rely on them. All those who are part of these institutions are effectively custodians who should protect their wellbeing for the future What we are seeing right now in British politics is effectively, in my view, a deliberate race to the bottom to a form of gutter politics that, unfortunately, directly disadvantages those of us not willing to be part of that race. The sooner the leadership of the main political parties in this country rise to the challenge of showing the levels of integrity in their conduct and behaviour that the British people are entitled to expect, the better.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Technology
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I always reflect on comments by the right hon. Lady. I say again that we as a Government are committed to ensuring that what we do about public discourse, particularly online via the Online Harms White Paper, is not just about how we make sure that people are not breaching the law and how people can participate without fear of abuse, but about ensuring that we tackle some of the disinformation that can have such a corrosive impact on our society. Ultimately, the social media giants have made some moves, but there is obviously a need to do even more.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): It was interesting to hear the right hon. Gentleman’s brief mention of his parents. I remember the attacks he faced in terms of his own father and his reaction to them. I thought those attacks took politics to a place which was not appropriate. We should always judge Members by who they are and what they say, not seek to attack their family. In terms of the strategy, I am very clear, when we liaise with the police and when we talk to them about appropriate measures to be taken, that that applies whatever opinion anyone adopts within this House. I suspect my discussions are more likely to focus on those who may strongly disagree with me but have absolutely every right to put those arguments forward, and to have measures in place to protect them—and not just from those things that cross the boundaries of the criminal law, but also from incessant abuse online, particularly when it is ill-informed. But as we all know, we as a Government wanted to give the British people an opportunity express their views on Tuesday 15 October 2019. Sadly, for the first time in history, a Government wanted an election to resolve the matter but were blocked from doing so by the Opposition.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I think it is safe to say, as you yourself reflected, Mr Speaker, that the Brexit process has provoked passions and arguments and debate, but I think where the Prime Minister is very clear is that his view is the way to deal with this, and the Government’s view is that we should ensure that we deliver Brexit on 31 October 2019.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Law and Crime
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said earlier, there is no one in this House who is a traitor; there is no one in this House who should be threatened in that way. Those who shouted that in the marketplace should realise that if they talk such nonsense and make such threats, there is a criminal law that they can be held accountable to.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Lady rightly indicates, those who behave in certain ways will face the criminal justice system and conviction for their offences. However, I would just gently reflect that a national party going round with the slogan "Bollocks to Brexit" will not necessarily help tone down the debate. Ultimately, for us all, bringing a resolution to this issue is a key part of what this Parliament is meant to be here for, and if we cannot do it in this Parliament, I would look forward to having the mature, sensible and informed debate with the electorate that we should have been having on Tuesday 15 October.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me first compliment my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford) on the work that she does, as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on women in Parliament, to ensure that the views of women both inside and outside Parliament are heard Yes, this is about having a calm and dignified debate, taking the challenge in the way it is meant and responding to it in a dignified way. The Government are seeking to work together to heal the divisions by bringing an end to the Brexit process, and doing so by delivering the result of the referendum. The longer the delay and indecision continue, the more, sadly, this argument will continue.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady made the point herself that, for over three years, this Parliament has been absolutely focused on rows and debates around Brexit. Hundreds of hours have been spent on it and we are unable to move on to the agenda that many people wish to see us discussing. The best way to finally bring that debate to an end and to move on is to support the Prime Minister in getting a deal, and I hope we will have her support when he brings a deal back.
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
David Michael Gauke (Conservative, Centre-right): At best, the Prime Minister’s answers to some of the questions last night were deeply insensitive, but the concern that many of us have is that there is a deliberate strategy of division and confrontation. Can the Minister reassure me that the Conservative party and the Government are not going to pursue a strategy of division, of confrontation and of the undermining of the institutions that protect the peace and stability of our citizens?
Prime Minister's Role in Creating a Safe Environment — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I can reassure my right hon. Friend that the Conservative party, going into a general election, will go forward with a manifesto that seeks to serve the country and unite the country, but a key part of doing that is bringing a resolution to the Brexit process. I know he has supported a deal, and I hope when the Prime Minister brings back a deal we can look forward to his support again.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Sarah Louise Newton (Conservative, Centre-right): I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s determination, because this is the greatest challenge we face as a country. I am sure we can maintain the excellent radical consensus achieved by the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) through the Climate Change Act 2008. This remains above party politics, and everyone in the country will expect us to do that On the road to COP 26, will the Secretary of State assure me that there will be roadshows and lots of opportunities for businesses and enterprises the length and breadth of the country that are coming up with solutions that will enable not only us here at home but so many developing nations around the world to meet our net-zero carbon target?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is exactly right. It is important that during 2020 we spend a good amount of time promoting not only the Government’s work but the brilliant ideas of UK scientists and the efforts around the world to try to tackle global climate change.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Drew Hendry) for his raft of points, and I will try to tackle them all First, I congratulate the Scottish Government on their work in also legislating to achieve net zero by 2045. Of course they, like the UK Government, are following the advice and recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change, and we will need to work together to ensure that we all meet those targets The hon. Gentleman asks whether there will be a clear plan and pathway for net zero, and there will be. My Department is working flat out to provide particular pathways for us to consult on The Committee on Climate Change is clear that our clean growth and industrial strategies provide the right frameworks for delivering net zero, so we will continue to deliver through those strategies, including, for example, recent record low prices for offshore wind, the new future homes standard, the CCUS action plan, the £400 million investment in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and the £390 million investment in hydrogen and low-carbon technology to reduce emissions from industry Finally, on Hinkley Point C, I am sure the hon. Gentleman will be aware that there is no cost to the taxpayer.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point and, as he will no doubt expect, that is exactly the kind of area we are looking at. There obviously needs to be a pathway, as we cannot suddenly decarbonise in 2049, so we are now looking at the trajectory and at the development of different technologies, at how quickly we can deploy them and at the choices to get the best value for taxpayers’ money while setting a real example that we can demonstrate for COP 26 next year.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Neil Quentin Gordon Parish (Conservative, Centre-right): Air quality is very much part of climate change, and we must increase our air quality in this country. Having more electric cars and charging them at night would use and store a lot of renewable energy, so there is a great advantage in driving those technologies. We must have better quality in this country.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course air quality is vital, and the move to electric vehicles is important. My hon. Friend will be aware that we have a £400 million investment in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, but it is also vital that we generate electricity from low-carbon sources to provide electricity for those electric vehicles.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that just this weekend the Prime Minister doubled our international climate finance contribution, from £5.8 billion to £11.2 billion, for 2021 to 2025. That demonstrates our commitment to providing support for those in developing countries.[Official Report, 30 September 2019, Vol. 664, c. 10MC.]
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Anne Marie Morris (Conservative, Centre-right): The Secretary of State might be interested to know that, as well as Greta Thunberg, young people in my constituency of Newton Abbot are absolutely determined to have a voice on climate change. They attend Torquay grammar school and have uploaded to YouTube content that has gone viral, but they want to know how they can get involved. Could the Secretary of State tell my constituents what they need to do to engage with Government and get young people’s voices heard?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Education
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises such an important point. So many young people are taking part in demonstrations and want to know what they can do to help. We will hold Green GB Week early in the new year, which will be a great opportunity for schools to get involved and for young people to give their views.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I think the hon. Lady will be delighted to hear about the Ayrton fund, which provides £1 billion for that transition from fossil fuels—including, as I have said, kerosene lamps, coal-fired stoves and so on—to solar power for cooking, heating and lighting. This is a genuine opportunity for developing economies to transition early.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Alexander John Gervase Chalk (Conservative, Centre-right): British carbon emissions are down by 42% on 1990 levels, which is a fantastic achievement, but we are responsible for just 1% of global emissions, and emissions overall are rising. What can the international community do to ensure that polluters such as India and China, which are responsible for nearly 30% of global emissions, clean up their act?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): It is absolutely clear that this has to be a global effort. The UK, as my hon. Friend rightly points out, is responsible for a small proportion of global emissions, and those emissions continue to rise. It is incumbent on all of us to follow the instruction of the Paris climate change agreements and for the United Kingdom to provide encouragement and do everything we can to lead the way.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Mark Andrew Pritchard (Conservative, Centre-right): May I welcome the Government’s commitment to net zero by 2050 while creating jobs? Given today’s paper, I hope that most of them will be green jobs. What is the Government’s rationale for not agreeing with the Opposition’s target of 2030?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I regret to say that the 2030 target announced by the Labour party is simply not credible. Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said: "We need zero emissions. Getting there by 2050 is tough and expensive but feasible and consistent with avoiding most damaging climate change. Aiming for zero emissions by 2030 is almost certainly impossible, hugely disruptive and risks undermining consensus." I urge Members to work, on a cross-party basis, on zero emissions by 2050.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman may have raised this issue four years ago—we could talk about this for a long time. A lot of consideration has been given to the potential of tidal power. It is incredibly expensive and was ruled out on those grounds. We are looking at a regulated asset base model for the financing of big energy efficient projects. We will continue to keep that under review, but of course it has to offer good value for taxpayers’ money. The path to net zero that we are setting out will enable further opportunities to consider different technologies.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Mary Josephine Robinson (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the launch of the Ayrton fund and the £1 billion for the creation of new technologies. We also have a proud history of commitment to developing countries through international aid. How will the fund fit into our existing commitments?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The UK Government have committed to spending 0.7% of our national income on aid. Analysis shows that without urgent action on climate change, development progress is at risk. Tackling climate change and protecting the environment is bound up with development, so it is right that it has to be a priority for UK aid. It is also very important that the OECD criteria for official development assistance include addressing climate change, and that is what we are doing.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Agriculture
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): As the hon. Lady will know, that would be a matter for comment by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I am sure that the opportunity to raise the issue will come up at DEFRA questions soon.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: International Affairs
Richard Michael John Ogilvie Graham (Conservative, Centre-right): The decision to hold the UN climate change summit 2020 in Glasgow was a great success for Anglo-Italian diplomacy. It also highlights an advantage for Scotland of being a member of the United Kingdom, with some 30,000 attendees are expected. I do not share the concern of the hon. Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) about the £1 billion coming from our international development fund. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that one of the advantages of the money is that it can be used to help to save forests in Indonesia, and does she agree that our climate change unit should continue its good work there?
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is exactly right. We are all delighted that COP 26 will be held in Glasgow. We shall all be there. It will be a great opportunity to visit Scotland as part of a stronger United Kingdom post-Brexit. We all very much look forward to it. My hon. Friend is exactly right to say that the Ayrton fund offers a fantastic opportunity to contribute to low-carbon technologies for use in developing economies.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Energy
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Lady for her collegiate approach; I think we should attempt to continue in that vein. She will know that we have more than 10 GW of onshore wind capacity in the UK. No doubt she knows also that just a couple of weeks ago we had a successful round of contracts for difference for offshore wind, showing costs of sub-£40 per MWh, which is extraordinary; when I was an Energy Minister only a few years ago, the cost of CFDs then was about £150 per MWh. The UK is leading the world. We should be proud of that. Of course, we will continue to look at all renewable technologies.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Environment
Oliver Heald (Conservative, Centre-right): The Conservative Environment Network recently produced its manifesto. One of the proposals for a quick win on emissions is to increase the amount of ethanol in petrol to 10%, which would also help the British bioethanol industry, farmers and us all. Has my right hon. Friend considered that? Will she encourage the Transport Secretary to implement that measure? It would be equivalent to taking 700,000 cars off the road.
International Climate Action — House of Commons, 2019-09-26
Topic: Transportation
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am aware of the idea my right hon. and learned Friend mentions. I am to meet the Secretary of State for Transport soon to talk about how we can speed up the decarbonisation of the transport system, and I am sure we will discuss it then.