argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Electronic Voting — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Other
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I have set out for the hon. Gentleman perhaps the most effective way in which he could voice his concerns, but an opportunity may well be provided shortly by a contingency Chamber, in which case it would of course be open to the House to decide to implement an electronic voting system if it considered that to be appropriate.
Electronic Voting — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Other
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I did not hear in any of the earlier contributions any suggestion that we should stay at home to do our voting, and I am sure that the SNP representatives here today would not favour that approach either.
Restoration and Renewal — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Housing
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The expectation is that once the shadow sponsor board and the delivery authority have been established, it might take them something of the order of 12 to 18 months to consider the options for decanting. That would therefore add to the timescales. I welcome the fact that we are going to have the debate by the end of this year. We really need that, because meanwhile the fabric of the building continues to deteriorate and the very high maintenance costs that we incur as a result also continue apace.
Restoration and Renewal — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Housing
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): For the reasons I set out about the risk profile associated with the services in the building, I certainly support what the hon. Gentleman says about the need for urgent action to be taken, although I may not echo the tone that he uses.
Restoration and Renewal — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Public Lands
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): When that matter was looked at by the Commission and the Lords equivalent, there was no desire to turn this place into a museum. Indeed, there was a desire to ensure that this building is able to continue to operate for staff, for Members and for visitors and to remain a significant world heritage building. [Interruption.]
Leaving the EU: Parliamentary Vote — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Mixed Topics
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Given the confusion yesterday, will the Secretary of State publish a written timetable of what he expects the sequence of decision making will be, both here in the UK and in the European Parliament? And just in case he is inclined to say no, why not?
Global LGBT Rights — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Civil Rights
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I am very grateful to the hon. Lady for giving way. I will not seek her support immediately for the amendments to which I am about to refer, because they relate to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, and she may want to look at them more carefully, but may I encourage her to look at amendments 287 to 290, which are supported by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International? They are relevant to ensuring that, as part of that process of conversion from EU law to UK law, we do preserve human rights aspects of that EU law, which often has been used in support of LGBT rights. I hope that she will at least look at them.
Global LGBT Rights — House of Commons, 2017-10-26
Topic: Civil Rights
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I seek some clarity on the issue of sex education, which the Government are making compulsory. I welcome that, but what does the Minister think should be done on LGBT rights within that, including in faith schools, which take a different approach to the issue?
European Council — House of Commons, 2017-10-23
Topic: Mixed Topics
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Following on from the question by the hon. Member for Aberavon (Stephen Kinnock), the members of the Exiting the EU Committee in Dover were also told, by a representative of the Port of Calais, that a lorry park would not be built in Calais. It could not operate without it, but it would not build a lorry park because of migrant issues, and the Port of Calais, under current circumstances, would have to close. Has the Prime Minister considered that problem?
Regulation of Property Agents — House of Commons, 2017-10-18
Topic: Housing
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I declare an interest in that I own a property in Rochdale that is managed by an agent. Clamping down on rogue property agents is long overdue, and the consultation is welcome. However, whether regulatory reforms are successful will be entirely down to how well they are enforced. Self-regulation has failed, and local enforcement on the ground is under severe pressure due to public sector cuts. Will the Minister confirm that extra funding will be made available to make the necessary enforcement possible?
Leaving the EU: Student Exchanges — House of Commons, 2017-11-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): This is a classic example of a debate in which I made to leave Chamber, realised what the debate was about and came back with alacrity. I am hugely enjoying the hon. Lady’s contribution, and I am in total agreement with her. Friendships formed between foreign students can be crucial. President Clinton was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford, which helped his understanding and attitude towards this country.
Leaving the EU: Student Exchanges — House of Commons, 2017-11-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The answer to my question may be, "Write a letter to John Swinney in the Scottish Government" but does the Minister have any idea what the situation is with regard to the teaching of Mandarin across the border in Scotland?
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2017-11-22
Topic: Housing
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): First-time buyers in my vast and remote constituency will absolutely welcome the abolition of stamp duty. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with his colleague, the hon. Member for Stirling (Stephen Kerr), who has now left the Chamber, that it is high time that the Scottish Government followed suit and abolished stamp duty north of the border? We do not want any inequality that will disadvantage Scots.
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2017-11-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Whatever the rights and wrongs of universal credit, and the motives behind it, the lack of internet access in my vast and wide-reaching constituency is an immovable obstacle that cuts against the best intentions of the Government. Do the hon. Gentleman and those on the Government Front Bench recognise this massive problem?
Unemployment — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
John Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): One of the biggest fiscal steps that can be taken to reduce unemployment is public sector investment in housing. May I therefore welcome the Communities Secretary’s statement yesterday that the Treasury has agreed to increase net borrowing by, I believe, £50 billion in order to enable this to happen? Will the Chancellor confirm that this is Government policy?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: The Chancellor will be aware that the Office for National Statistics has revised downwards the UK positive net international investment position from £470 billion to minus £20 billion. What further shocks of this magnitude does he expect as a result of his Government’s handling of the EU negotiations?; The location of Rugeley B power station is a large strategic site in the west midlands. Will my hon. Friend join me in urging all the parties involved in the redevelopment to be ambitious, bold and visionary, and will he outline what Government assistance is available to attract innovative high-tech businesses?; The Scottish National party has repeatedly asked the Government to take action to enable Scotland’s police and fire rescue service to reclaim VAT in the same way as they have done for national bodies such as Highways England. If that action can be taken for Highways England, why not for Police Scotland and the fire and rescue service in Scotland? Will Ministers commit to doing that in the next Budget?; Inflation now stands at a staggering five-year high and businesses in Scotland, Falkirk and across the UK face the prospect of increased trade tariffs post-Brexit. On the high street, it is increasingly a case of bricks versus clicks, and businesses are closing down, as people buy online, leaving town centres struggling. Has the Chancellor spoken to retailers about the possibility of reducing the amount of VAT paid by businesses in our town centres to help them cope with online trade and the impending extra burdens?; May I urge the Chancellor to reject the representations that we have just heard from the shadow Chancellor? Is it not the case that one cannot agree a price until one knows what one is paying for, and that only a fool would write a blank cheque with taxpayers’ money?
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): We are having difficulties with mobile banking in my constituency. I know of instances in which two different mobile banks have arrived in the same community while other communities have seen no mobile banks at all. We have problems with people queueing in rough weather and getting wet, and problems with paper banking. Will the Chancellor, or some other Minister, propose ways of reorganising mobile banking and making it more user-friendly, and of getting the banks to co-operate with each other to deliver a service that is vital in the highlands?
Universal Credit Roll-out — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Housing
Stephen Anthony Christopher Lloyd (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): There are 1.5 million people on housing benefit in the private rental sector, and private landlords do not have the flexibility or even the patience of housing associations and councils. Does the hon. Lady agree that if 50% of the 1.5 million people who will ultimately be on universal credit lose their homes, it would be an absolute catastrophe?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Edward Jonathon Davey (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I am grateful for that clarification, because it may put some minds to rest if they know that the software upgrades will be available. There is a danger that many suppliers, be they one of the big six or others, see the roll-out of as many SMETS 1 meters as possible as a way to stop competition and lock in their consumers. That should really worry everyone in the House. Has the Secretary of State weighed up the benefits of ensuring we have more competition through the roll-out of SMETS 2 meters against the obvious downside of delaying the 2020 deadline?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Jonathon Davey (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): In answer to the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western), is not the real point that consumers on prepayment meters have to pay more than the rest of the population because of the cost of administering a prepayment meter and a move to a smart meter would remove that cost, so prepayment meter consumers are likely to benefit the most, and that aspect of the roll-out, which I tried to achieve as Secretary of State, should be accelerated?
Smart Meters Bill — House of Commons, 2017-10-24
Topic: Mixed Topics
Edward Jonathon Davey (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The last time the Scottish Government reviewed the definition of fuel poverty, they came up with a definition that I did not think was very good, whereas in England and Wales we reviewed it and came up with a policy that secured cross-party consensus. May I urge the hon. Lady to go back to Edinburgh and look at the fuel poverty definition we produced here in Westminster?
Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility — House of Commons, 2017-10-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Christine Anne Jardine (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Given the danger that people who want to make large bets will be pushed online to the less regulated area, would the Government consider extending the consultation to address stakes in online equivalents such as blackjack, in which thousands of pounds can be bet on one hand and lost?
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-12-12
Topic: Immigration
Timothy James Farron (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I commend the hon. Gentleman for all the remarks that he has just made. I, too, have visited many camps and spoken to unaccompanied child refugees. Does he agree that the case he is making serves as a reminder that our acting honourably and decently, as a country and a continent, does not constitute a pull factor—we are simply responding to the push factor of the appalling circumstances from which those people are fleeing?
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-12-12
Topic: Mixed Topics
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): It is possible that I switched off, or perhaps nodded off, during the past hour and 20 minutes, but I do not think I heard the Minister refer to my amendment 124 on the single market, which I assume means that the Government are supporting me.
Mental Health Provision: Children and Young People — House of Commons, 2017-12-12
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I appreciate the sincerity of the Minister’s remarks. All that I can say, given my earlier intervention about my vast and remote constituency the other side of the border, is that I would be grateful if she could share her Department’s expertise with the Scottish Government, because the same issues could be tackled in the same way north of the border.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2017-11-15
Topic: Other
Thomas Anthony Brake (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I welcome the fact that you are rightly focused on this issue. If those reports were in fact not forthcoming within the three-week period, what specific action would you be able to take to ensure that the Government delivered on their promise?
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-11-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): This partly repeats my previous point, but does the right hon. Lady recognise that, whichever way this law is approached, the crucial issue is keeping Scotland’s financial industries safe and letting Scotland prosper, because there is a grave danger of getting this wrong, whether through primary or secondary legislation?
European Union (Withdrawal) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-11-15
Topic: Civil Rights
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Does the right hon. Lady not agree that what we are really discussing is democracy and how we interpret it? As much as I agree that the language has sometimes gone overboard and been very unpleasant for some of us, we are grappling with this because democracy is a very difficult issue.
Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-11-03
Topic: Other
Christine Anne Jardine (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The hon. Gentleman says that it is possible for one party be consistently wrong, but does he accept that it is unlikely for four parties to be consistently wrong and that the two parts of the United Kingdom that have found the policy to be successful might be right?
Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-11-03
Topic: Civil Rights
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I feel myself strangely transported to a costume drama set about 100 years ago, when those who resisted women’s votes came out with exactly those arguments about women’s immaturity and lack of interest, and about how women would not know what they were talking about. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that those who resisted the enlargement of the franchise then were wrong and that those who persistently made the case for extending the franchise to women were right? This is a similar argument.
Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Bill — House of Commons, 2017-11-03
Topic: Civil Rights
Christine Anne Jardine (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I agree with the hon. Lady that we need to seek imaginative ways of involving young people in politics. Does she agree that the contributions we saw from 16 and 17-year-olds in the Scottish referendum were among the most informed, enthusiastic and incisive, and brought a whole new spirit to the debate and many more young people into politics? Is that not what we should be seeking to do?
Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis: UK Response — House of Commons, 2022-02-09
Topic: Immigration
Layla Michelle Moran (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The Minister mentions Operation Pitting. An Afghan gentleman came to my surgery in agony: his family have not left the house or seen daylight for months and he is worried about what is happening to his country. To add insult to injury, the leave to enter for the 15,000 Afghans who are now here expires at the end of this month. When we add all that strife together, their mental health is suffering. Will the Minister guarantee now at the Dispatch Box that by the end of this month all those Afghans who came here will be given leave to remain?
Poverty: Pensioners — House of Commons, 2022-02-07
Topic: Mixed Topics
Helen Margaret Lilian Morgan (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Pensioners across North Shropshire and the rest of the country are falling into poverty. Last week, a retired couple from Ellesmere, in my constituency, contacted me to tell me that even though they live in a modest bungalow, because of the rising costs of their food and energy bills they have been put in the heartbreaking position of having to choose between heating and eating. That is a choice no one should ever have to make Rural communities are being hit hardest by the energy bill price hike, and they have higher numbers of pensioners hit by the suspension of the triple lock. In Shropshire, the Conservative-led council is pushing through the maximum council tax increase this spring. What steps can the Secretary of State or the Minister take to ensure that our retired residents are not put into this dreadful position of choosing between heating and eating?
Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Appointment — House of Commons, 2022-02-07
Topic: Mixed Topics
Wendy Anne Chamberlain (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): My constituents are rightly concerned to see the Prime Minister pursue a departmental merger, the cost of which is likely to surpass £10 million in taxpayers’ money, at a time when we are facing a cost of living crisis. It is well documented that No. 10 is used for living and working, with porous boundaries, and we are all well aware of the Prime Minister’s well documented frustrations with his flat. Will the Minister rule out any public money being spent on any additional refurbishment of the Downing Street flat, in the context of this merger?
Sue Gray Report — House of Commons, 2022-01-31
Topic: Mixed Topics
Christine Anne Jardine (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): The Prime Minister said in his statement that he understands the anger of people in this country, but does he also understand that for many people in this country who are watching, their greatest fears about how this would be handled have been realised? They have seen an apology, yes, but they have also seen obfuscation, delay and tinkering, rather than an acceptance of responsibility. The Prime Minister says that he wants to get on and deal with the important issues facing this country. Perhaps the only way we will be able to do that is for him to accept that he has become an obstacle to it and resign.
Education: Return in January — House of Commons, 2022-01-05
Topic: Mixed Topics
Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): We have known since early on in the pandemic that air purifiers are one of the most effective and cheapest ways of reducing covid transmission in the classroom, as shown by countries such as the US and Germany, which implemented them many, many months ago. The Secretary of State’s defence today for the very belated announcement of only 8,000 air purifiers for over 300,000 classrooms in England is that they do not need them. Will he publish the data from the CO2 monitors that show that only 8,000 classrooms need them? Why is his Department recommending Dyson air purifiers when actually there are far cheaper ones available on the market?
Night-time Economy — House of Commons, 2022-01-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Although the night-time economy has clearly been thriving in Whitehall, especially at the height of lockdown, many bars, clubs and pubs across the rest of London are unfortunately struggling to stay afloat, and many of them employee my constituents. The Night Time Industries Association suggests that its members have lost, on average, £45,000 over the festive period, so the grants do not touch the sides. Will the Minister commit to providing further financial support to this sector by reintroducing the 100% business rates relief and the emergency 5% VAT rate?
Reducing Costs for Businesses — House of Commons, 2022-01-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jamie Hume Stone (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I thank the Minister for courteously taking my intervention. As the House knows, I represent the furthest away constituency of mainland UK. Does he agree that in such a constituency, where distance is a huge issue, businesses face special challenges owing to remoteness and the cost of transportation and every other service?
Building Safety — House of Commons, 2022-01-10
Topic: Housing
Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): I look forward to seeing the amendments from the Government about how leaseholders will be protected, because my constituents in St Albans, like many others, have had too many false dawns. I want to ask about the Secretary of State’s review of proportionality. In the past, building safety assessors have been chosen because of their willingness to recommend the less expensive safety work, and that has created a race to the bottom. Will he confirm that the BSI guidance will be mandatory for building safety assessors, and will he put protections in place so that assessors do not get away with offering the lightest touch mitigations that they can?
Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill — House of Commons, 2022-01-10
Topic: Other
Wera Benedicta Hobhouse (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker; I am coming to the end. I could not miss the opportunity to speak in this debate because I believe that the whole Bill is a complete failure. However, I will be supporting all the amendments that are proposed today because they will improve it, but I will vote against the Bill.
Online Safety Tools — House of Commons, 2022-01-17
Topic: Civil Rights
Questions: What discussions she has had with (a) the Equalities Office and (b) women’s rights campaigners on the effectiveness of (i) the Path Community app and (ii) other online safety tools.
Sarah Jane Olney (Liberal Democrats, Centre to centre-left): Many women’s rights campaigners, including Reclaim These Streets, have called apps such as the Path Community app insulting to women and girls. They claim it does nothing to tackle men’s violence against women, so why are the Government continuing to push the app and present it as some kind of solution?