argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point, which highlights that we should be role models and that what we do in this House sets an example to those in the rest of the country. It is a pretty poor show if we cannot sort out our own house, particularly at a time when we are so concerned about sexual harassment in schools.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Lady makes a very good point—that it is vital that victims feel they have a safe place to bring forward allegations and that they are not the ones who end up being blamed for failing to come forward or for presumably making false allegations, which too often seems to be the case. I highlight the situation of my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani), who tried to raise some allegations and suffered unbelievable abuse for it. It is an appalling cultural trend in this country, and it really has to stop.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend mentions the fact that any new procedure needs to cover both Houses, and she is right. She is also absolutely right that it needs to cover all staff working here and in our constituencies. She wants interim procedures to be clarified, which we will absolutely do. However, I would just point out to her that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has absolutely gripped this issue. While it may have been rumbling on for many years, we should all be pleased that we will be addressing it in the very near future.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very happy to give that absolute assurance. There should be no place here on the estate, or in our constituency offices, where people can be abused or their allegations not taken seriously. I can assure the hon. Lady that I will be meeting Lord McFall to discuss the specific issues around the Sports and Social bar tomorrow.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Esther Louise McVey (Conservative, Centre-right): I am delighted to hear that the Leader of the House will extend these measures to other forms of abuse. Will that include those MPs who go on rallies endorsing the lynching of other MPs? It is an absolute disgrace that senior MPs go about their business inciting violence against female MPs.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point, again, about the vital significance of what we do as MPs. Certainly, repeating slogans about lynching other MPs is incredibly despicable behaviour that is occasionally encouraged. That is deeply regrettable, and we all need to look very carefully at what sort of behaviour we endorse in this House.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady has been a big champion for women over several years, and I applaud her for that. She is absolutely right. The grievance procedure will need to be very clear and very well communicated. It will have to set out clearly established principles about how the procedure escalates, with very clear "So what now?" results at the end of it that everybody who participates in it can see for themselves.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): Cross-party agreement and working closely with your office, Mr Speaker, are vital. Of course, the House officials themselves have some expertise in this area, but all ideas will be welcomed—bearing in mind, as a number of Members have said, that this is a very unusual workplace.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Anne Margaret Main (Conservative, Centre-right): Mr Speaker, I very much welcomed the mention in your speech of bullying and other forms of harassment. Sometimes victims are not empowered to speak up and make a complaint, so can we make sure that there is a form of reporting for other people who may observe harassment and bullying within an office or workplace and feel they could alert someone to it?
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Rachel Helen Maclean (Conservative, Centre-right): I, too, welcome the statements and comments that have been made today. When I was speaking to my own researcher earlier this week, she highlighted some of the experiences that she has had in this place. As a new MP, I definitely find such experiences shocking and unacceptable. May I highlight the importance in the code of education both for staff and for us as Members? Many coming in as Members have not had the experience of employing people before. We need to be kept up to date with what is happening in society, including about what constitutes harassment. We may think such phrases are innocent, but they are not perceived as such. Our staff also need to be empowered completely to bring forward complaints. Does my right hon. Friend agree?
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises a really important and thoughtful point. Very often, Members have not had experience of employing staff before coming to this place, and they themselves need some guidance. That could be a very useful contribution as a result of this experience.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement sending a clear message that sexual harassment is never acceptable. Who would have thought that, as we celebrate the centenary of women getting the vote, we have to address in this Chamber the conduct and language that intimidate and control women in particular? This is about the abuse of power and the status of women. I welcome the cross-party agreement to stamp this out, especially as we are all working in a climate where women on both sides of the House are being abused just for being in public office. Perhaps we can start by referring to the code of conduct, which I raised with the Leader of the House in business questions last week. With the privilege of being elected comes a duty, and that does not involve sexist language and behaviour, because all of us who have been elected know the power that we hold.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Miriam Jane Alice Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): If we do not call out bad, irresponsible or criminal behaviour, which we do weekly in our constituency surgeries, we are all part of the problem. The right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) rightly raised the question and has used her gravitas to highlight the issue. I have the pleasure of serving on your diversity committee, Mr Speaker, which looks at these issues, and we have made some great strides in making this a positive workplace for all Can I ask the Leader of the House and the Prime Minister to work with me and all Members from all parties to make sure that we have a strong voice on all the separate issues—whether misogyny, poor language or criminal behaviour—and do everything to give the public confidence in every party?
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Matthew James Offord (Conservative, Centre-right): May I gently remind the House that this issue is not just about sexual harassment and it is not just about women? Bullying is systemic in the House. Earlier today, I received a text from someone describing a problem that he saw in this place. It said of a current Member: "He is utterly foul and I am sure it’s a pattern of behaviour on his part, but in this instance I don’t think it would be fair on the woman in question" to name him. My friend continues: "Still, do your best to widen this to bullying and treating your staff like"— I think he means dirt. I ask the Leader of the House to widen this issue to bullying, including historical allegations.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman raises a terrible and horrifying case. He is right to point out that the victim should not be the one to suffer in the way that his friend obviously did. The point he raises is very important. We need to ensure that this is not the House protecting itself, but Parliament protecting all those who come here to work and to try to make their country a better place.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Philip Thomas Hollobone (Conservative, Centre-right): I congratulate the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) on asking the urgent question and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on her response. How many calls have been made to the confidential helpline? If we are to get rid of this unacceptable behaviour, would a good place to start not be to contact those who have contacted the confidential helpline, to see how their cases might now be taken forward?
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I came to this place after working for some years at the BBC, an institution that has had its own challenges in this area. With that experience in mind, I want to endorse what the Leader of the House and you, Mr Speaker, have said about the importance of this institution having a robust procedure. It must not be left to individual components, whether individual employers or political parties. It is this institution, Parliament, that has to have a robust governance procedure. There are a few specific categories of people that this process must be sufficiently fleet of foot to be able to help. The first is members of staff who work in our constituency offices, who often feel isolated and vulnerable. The second is students who come here on work experience or to do internships. I would like to suggest that whenever a student, an intern or someone on a work placement begins here, there should be, as part of the basic induction process, a very simple instruction about where they go if, at any time, they feel vulnerable. I think that that is lacking at the moment.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is exactly right. It is absolutely our intention to make very swift progress—within days. He is also right to point out that there is agreement across parties that this needs to be resolved, and I think, if we all work together, it can be.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Similarly, I am very happy to meet the union, and I look forward to hearing from the hon. Lady. There should be an opportunity for a troika, a quartet, or perhaps something larger—I don’t know. It is important and should happen sooner rather than later.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): That is a very good suggestion, and I would certainly support it. Such courses are often made available, and individual Members can choose to send staff on them. I myself have sent staff for assertiveness training. Another Member raised the issue of training for Members of Parliament in how to treat their staff, and I think that that has equal merit. All these suggestions should be up for discussion.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I urge those who feel uncomfortable, and feel that they have been abused, bullied, intimidated or harassed, to come forward. However, I do not think the hon. Gentleman is right to suggest that the victims are somehow themselves guilty of anything in failing to come forward.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I can absolutely confirm that all issues involving homophobia, racism, bulling, sexual harassment and so on will be within the scope of the work involved in the creation of an independent grievance procedure. The hon. Lady is exactly right: treating one another with respect throughout our politics is absolutely essential, and we will see what more can be done to ensure that that happens.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Civil Rights
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I certainly share the hon. Gentleman’s concern, and he will be aware that members of staff often move around and work for other Members of Parliament. Clearly, there should be different outcomes for different situations, but it is very important that victims feel that they are heard, understood, listened to and supported, and that their concerns are then acted upon.
Sexual Harassment in Parliament — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady should really consider the logic of what she is saying, if she really thinks that the Prime Minister would be sitting there chatting with the Chief Whip in the way that she suggests. That is quite clearly not true. It is absolutely vital that we all take this seriously and give proper consideration to the allegations against Members of Parliament by their staff. Anybody who had prior knowledge of those things would encourage those individuals to go to the police or provide them with the support that they need. There is absolutely no covering up going on.
Independent Review: Deaths in Police Custody — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I note what the hon. Lady says about Deborah Coles being her constituent. Clearly, Deborah Coles can be a constituent of only one Member, but I did know her at university 30 years ago, as did the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin). She was a formidable campaigner for social justice then, and she is clearly a formidable campaigner for social justice now.
Independent Review: Deaths in Police Custody — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Nicholas Richard Hurd (Conservative, Centre-right): I did make it clear in my statement that we published our response today and I am placing it in the Library. When the hon. Lady reads it, I hope that she will see that it is a substantive response to all the thematic considerations that Dame Elish has brought forward.
Balfour Declaration — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I completely agree with the aspiration the hon. Gentleman sets out. I believe that the future is economic interpenetration and mutual prosperity. That is why next year we are investing £3 million in co-existence projects of exactly the kind he describes.
Balfour Declaration — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Other
Andrew William Murrison (Conservative, Centre-right): Notwithstanding the challenges of unfinished business to which my right hon. Friend rightly referred, does he agree that centenaries can be a powerful way to draw people together, thoughtfully and respectfully, even where, as here, the history is complex and nuanced?
Balfour Declaration — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I totally agree with my hon. Friend, and that is the language that we have been using. It is what my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East has said time and again during his trips to the region. Indeed, whenever representatives of either party have come to this country we have strongly condemned the building of illegal settlement units, and we have denounced the recent acceleration in the building of those units. We think that that is making it more difficult to achieve a two-state solution, but it is not yet impossible, which is why we want to seize this opportunity.
Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2017-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew William Murrison (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the hon. Lady agree that it is far more important for families to have some sort of certitude about where they are going to be based for a protracted period of time? Moving around the country in the old way was hopeless in that respect and was one of the principal reasons why people decided to leave.
GP Services — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Housing
Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt (Conservative, Centre-right): I understand the concerns that the hon. Lady raises; they have been raised by a number of Members. There are historical issues on the levels of rent charged by NHS Property Services, which frankly are not fair given the variation in charges to different GP practices across the country. I will be happy to look carefully into the issues she raises.
NHS Funding Trends — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. We must observe the terms of debate. It is not for the Secretary of State to ask questions. He has been in the House long enough to know that. Please do not play games with the traditional and established procedures of the House, Secretary of State. You can do better than that.
Mental Health Workforce — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Iain Aitken Stewart (Conservative, Centre-right): I certainly welcome that increase, but does my right hon. Friend agree that there is a particular need to address mental health issues in schools? Could he set out what plans he has to give extra support there?
Mental Health Workforce — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Housing
Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt (Conservative, Centre-right): I commend my hon. Friend for his work and thinking on this through the Public Accounts Committee, and he is absolutely right. I am more than happy to talk to him about this, but we actually have it as a priority to make sure that when NHS land is disposed of, NHS workers get the first opportunity to buy or rent the houses that are built.
Life Sciences — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Andrew Campbell Bowie (Conservative, Centre-right): In Scotland today there are over 600 life sciences organisations employing more than 30,000 people, making Scotland one of the largest life sciences clusters in Europe, so they too will welcome the announcement the Minister mentions. Will he give the House some more detail on the sector deal and industry investments that could give even more strength to this world-leading industry across the United Kingdom?
Life Sciences — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Stephen Charles Brine (Conservative, Centre-right): The sector’s commercial activity is very broadly spread across the whole of the UK—my hon. Friend’s concern. There are a number of strong emerging life sciences clusters. The deal highlights successes around the UK in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, south Wales, and the south-east, so it is a very broad spread.
Mental Health Services: Children and Young People — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Other
Jacqueline Doyle-Price (Conservative, Centre-right): How can I say no to such a proposition? My hon. Friend illustrates the importance of good leadership in all local communities. Where good leaders make something a priority, they will deliver good outcomes at reasonable value for money.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Immigration
Questions: Research shows that breast density is a strong predictor of developing breast cancer, yet many women remain unaware of the risk. Will the Minister confirm what steps are being taken to educate women with this potentially life-saving information?; What assessment has the Secretary of State made of NHS funding for the 2018-19 financial year? Will it be sufficient to deliver the standards set out in the NHS constitution?; The Secretary of State will be aware of the decision by my Northumberland CCG to close in-patient beds at Rothbury Community Hospital last year. It was done on the premise of underuse, but local sources continue to indicate that it was due to a shortage of nurses at our excellent Northumbria A&E hospital. Following a passionate campaign led by Katie Scott and the Save Rothbury Community Hospital supporters, Northumberland County Council has referred the decision to the Secretary of State for review. I would be grateful if he could update the House on the timescale for a decision.; Last week the Brexit Secretary stated that UK membership of EU agencies is unlikely to continue beyond March 2019, so what provision has the Secretary of State for Health made to replace the European Chemicals Agency, which regulates the raw chemicals required by the pharmaceutical industry to produce drugs in the UK?; Public Health England has stated that e-cigarettes are at least 95% safer than tobacco products and are now the most popular way to stop smoking. What is being done to encourage smokers to quit using this method, and what steps are being taken to ensure that e-cigarette users are not forced to share their space with people who continue to smoke?; Seriously unwell individuals continue to be placed in immigration detention, despite the “adults at risk” policy, which states that that should not happen. Will the Secretary of State update the House on what discussions are taking place with Home Office colleagues to ensure that assessment, treatment and screening processes, and the application of rule 35, are properly followed so that vulnerable individuals are not held in detention in that way?
Jeremy Richard Streynsham Hunt (Conservative, Centre-right): I always listen to what the hon. Lady says on these issues. I have had discussions with the Immigration Minister, but if she would like to write to me in detail I am happy to take the matter up further.
Local Government Finance Settlement — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. As per usual on a matter of this kind, there is extensive interest in participating in the exchanges on the statement, so I will just make two points. First, people who arrive late obviously should not stand or expect to be called. Secondly, because of the pressure on time and the fact that there is another statement to follow, there is a premium upon brevity, which must be exhibited—even by a lawyer. I call Robert Neill.
Local Government Finance Settlement — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Mixed Topics
Sajid Javid (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend speaks with experience as a former Minister in this Department, and I thank him for his comment. I can confirm that. This is all about efficiency and ensuring that local authorities have the right incentives, which is why our business rates retention plan, for example, will help to deliver just that.
Local Government Finance Settlement — House of Commons, 2017-12-19
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. I gently reiterate that those who arrived late should not stand. I have already made the point once, and it should not be necessary for me to make it again, but regrettably it has proved to be so.