argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Civil Rights
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): The Secretary of State is right to point out that British corporate governance is already admired around the world, but will he be looking in this consultation at best practice from around the world, particularly in those countries where women have better representation on boards?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Civil Rights
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): I will indeed. It is important that we maintain and extend our reputation for being the place in the world where business is done best. We have been able to make that proud boast over the years. The representation of women on boards is of great importance, and we are looking at how we can best encourage companies to move in that direction.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Other
Peter William Bone (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister must give credit to some of the Opposition parties today, as one eighth of the Liberal Democrats are here, one third of Plaid Cymru are here and one 50th of the Scottish National party are seeking to take part, so people are taking this seriously. Does he agree that the whole House should be available to take part, and it is unfortunate that now only one Labour parliamentarian who took part in this statement is in the Chamber?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jeremy Mark Quin (Conservative, Centre-right): Alongside other hon. Members, I investigated BHS, a company where corporate governance went seriously awry, so I warmly welcome the extension of stronger corporate governance to large private companies. However, I also hope that as part of the consultation there will be no risk of any ambivalence or questioning about what private company directors are expected to do in those roles and where their obligations lie. There are a range of stakeholders to whom they owe those obligations.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): There are indeed, and the range of stakeholders has long been recognised in company law, as my hon. Friend knows. The question is: in a world in which there are now more very large privately held businesses that do not have a full stock market listing than was the case in the past, is this the appropriate time to extend this measure to those businesses?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Oliver James Dowden (Conservative, Centre-right): The self-serving practices of many executives have done much to undermine popular capitalism in this country, but does my right hon. Friend agree that, although it is important to review company law in this fashion, that is no substitute for basic morality, which has been sadly lacking in many recent cases?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right in what he says, and I think Conservative Members would not regard legislation as being the way to cure all ills. I would take issue with him to this extent only: in general, the standards of both governance and behaviour are very high in this country, and most employees have good jobs in successful businesses. We should be proud of the standards that we have, while taking action against those who depart from them.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Chris Ian Brian Mynott Philp (Conservative, Centre-right): Does the Secretary of State agree that giving shareholders more power has a good chance of curbing corporate excess, including excessive pay, and that in Sweden the use of a shareholder committee to control both the appointment and removal of directors, and to approve executive pay, has had extremely positive effects in both those areas?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): I am delighted to see my hon. Friend in this place. When he reads the Green Paper, he will see that the proposal he made in a very well-written paper for a think tank to suggest a shareholder committee in this way is one option we are consulting on. I congratulate him on his influence on this debate and look forward to the responses to it.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Alan Mak (Conservative, Centre-right): Family-run businesses, and small and medium-sized enterprises, are well-known for their good governance and values, so will my right hon. Friend join me in encouraging more of them to come forward in the review and the consultation so that we can get the complete picture of corporate opinion?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): I will indeed. I would like to thank the Federation of Small Businesses, which has helped contribute to the shaping of these proposals, through some work it has been doing on corporate governance. Small businesses are very important. Small Business Saturday is coming up, and I think Members on both sides of the House will be paying tribute to and celebrating the vital contribution that small businesses make to this country.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Simon James Hoare (Conservative, Centre-right): We all know that small and medium-sized enterprises are, in essence, the backbone of British employability and our corporate world. In welcoming the Green Paper, may I invite my right hon. Friend to confirm this afternoon that, throughout the whole of this process, he and his ministerial team will ensure that we do not add to any burdens of either reporting or officialdom for those vital SMEs?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): I can confirm that. We had it in mind that small businesses will be the beneficiary of these reforms, because, as suppliers to big companies, they are a group whose important voice should be reflected. That point was made in our conversations with small business organisations, which is why small suppliers are specifically referenced in the proposals on which we are consulting.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Richard Quentin Fuller (Conservative, Centre-right): A common theme at British Home Stores and Sports Direct was that someone who was directly or indirectly a dominant shareholder also acted as chief executive officer. In the corporate world, Mike Ashley and Philip Green are outliers-become-outcasts, but the risk remains in those situations. Will my right hon. Friend, in his review, pay careful attention to that combination of dominant shareholding and chief executive powers?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): I will indeed. The Green Paper considers such matters. The responsibility that companies have through the privilege of limited liability status extends to employees, customers, pensioners and others, and that is part of the understanding under which good businesses operate to ensure that they are good for all those groups.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Thomas Christopher John Pursglove (Conservative, Centre-right): Wider community engagement is often very important in relation to these matters. Does the Secretary of State agree that one contribution that businesses can make is to try to help provide more role models for our young people, as, obviously, we want to see them go into business in greater numbers?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. One reason why Government Members are unambiguously pro-business is that the opportunities that that gives to people not only to earn a good living, so that they can support themselves, but to achieve their potential and go on to make full use of their talents is an incredibly inspiring way in which people can blossom. That is why we want to see flourishing businesses in this country.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Mark Julian Francis Pawsey (Conservative, Centre-right): The Secretary of State has already referred to the important role of small businesses in which the relationship between owners and their employees is very different from that in larger organisations. Will he say a little more about the level at which the proposals he has announced today will be introduced?
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Gregory David Clark (Conservative, Centre-right): In the consultation, we asked what the cut-off should be. Clearly, there is no intention to capture small businesses in the disclosure requirements that are more appropriate to large businesses. That is something that we will consider as part of the consultation, and I hope that my hon. Friend will contribute to it.
Corporate Governance — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Kevin Paul Hollinrake (Conservative, Centre-right): May I first declare my interest as a non-executive chair of a listed public company before I offer warm support for these proposals? I also echo the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) that employee share ownership schemes have had a transformative effect both in our workplace and on our business success. I ask the Secretary of State to look even closer at those schemes, with the aim of making them easier for businesses to implement.
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. The hon. Gentleman knows that he should not make remarks from a sedentary position, but if he is going to make remarks from a sedentary position, he should not use the word "you" because he should not be accusing me of anything.
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Richard Quentin Fuller (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is outlining a strong case for what she proposes for the CDC. However, on the issue of probity, there are tremendous resources in the City of London, which could provide support for some of the businesses the CDC invests in as they look to get to the next stage of growth capital. Is there any element in the Bill, or are there any DFID proposals, to encourage City of London firms to provide that support for DFID goals?
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Philip Duddridge (Conservative, Centre-right): The people who were employed in the construction of those shopping malls in Accra—I have seen them recently—would disagree with the suggestion that that has not helped families in Accra and in nearby villages. Less than 1% of the CDC budget has gone on shopping and infrastructure, which provide a lot of jobs. Agriculture, which the hon. Lady talked about earlier, is incredibly important, but it is less important than it used to be in the modern economy in Africa, where there is a greater degree of diversification and urbanisation.
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Mark Christopher Field (Conservative, Centre-right): I am just being slightly mischievous, but will my right hon. Friend confirm that all those interested in a career in the CDC cannot expect to spend too much time on the golf course, either on a Friday afternoon or on any other day of the week?
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Other
Eleanor Fulton Laing (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. Before the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) replies to that intervention, may I just say to him that those of us who do not understand cricket are absolutely delighted to have had a golfing metaphor? It is so much simpler.
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Fiona Claire Bruce (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman asks where the business case is. Has he seen the letter of 23 November from the Secretary of State? In it, she says: "No new capital to CDC would be released without a business case subject to full Ministerial scrutiny and approval and the agreement of CDC’s board."
Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Philip Duddridge (Conservative, Centre-right): I will not take the intervention, because I want to conclude I strongly support the CDC. It is the right move and it is a progressive move. I hope that Members from both sides of the House will agree to have a proper debate in Committee and to support the Bill on Third Reading to start to grow Africa in particular but also Asia out of poverty.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Matthew James Offord (Conservative, Centre-right): In the last Parliament, I asked the then Minister about the number of graves for which permission had been considered for lift and deepen. He replied that local authorities were able to do that, but none had. Will my hon. Friend please explain why we need to do this now when we have the London Local Authorities Act 2007, which permits lift and deepen?
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
David John Barrington Burrowes (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right. Parliament granted local authority-run cemeteries in London the power to reclaim graves in the 1970s and the power to lift and deepen in 2007. I understand that the City of London has made good use of the powers to reclaim and to lift and deepen in a cemetery in Newham without adverse reaction, while providing a sustainable future. In reality, the powers are available to cemeteries run by local authorities, but not cemeteries in the private sector. This Bill would seek to put the promoters on an equal footing with municipal cemeteries, which I would hope that Government Members supported.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way, and I am sorry that I was not in the Chamber for the beginning of his speech. Is it not right that the 2007 legislation has not been used by any local authority other than the City of London and that the cemetery in Newham is on consecrated land, where special rules apply? As I understand it, this Bill will not apply to consecrated land.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
David John Barrington Burrowes (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his interest. Time will tell how many will take up this opportunity; this is a particular issue that affects London, and although successive Governments have not said that it needs to be a universal power across the country, there has been recognition of its critical importance in London. Newham has taken up the power and I understand that Kensal Rise is looking at the progress of this Bill and considering taking the powers further My understanding is that most of the land in New Southgate cemetery’s ownership is consecrated and that the safeguards that ensure proper consultation with the diocese will apply. They will be particularly pertinent to this Bill. The difference with municipal land is not whether the land is consecrated but the fact that it is in different ownership, and we want an even hand The Bill is critical because the communities that the New Southgate cemetery serves do not generally choose cremation. For the Greek Cypriots, it is not allowed, and in the Caribbean communities burial is the preference of 99%. Burial is also the strong preference of Roman Catholics, who are strongly represented around the area served by the cemetery. The Baha’i community also has a requirement to bury and not to embalm or cremate The Bill will enable the creation of more spaces in existing graves and ensure a sustainable future. It provides adequate safeguards; it ensures that there will be notices, that objections from relatives or owners will be heard, and that Historic England and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be involved as regards proper respect for the heritage of those sites.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): The Bill does not specify the means by which old graves may be reused. My hon. Friend referred to a process called lift and deepen; is that the specific and only process that the promoters of the Bill have in mind?
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
David John Barrington Burrowes (Conservative, Centre-right): Unused graves can be reclaimed by allowing the exclusive right of burial to be properly extinguished. The alternative is through lift and deepen. If there are alternative directions from the Secretary of State, we will no doubt hear them from the Minister. It will reassure my hon. Friend to know that there are powers in clause 4(10) for the Secretary of State to provide additional direction in relation to the powers, if that is considered appropriate.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Mixed Topics
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend may have addressed this at the beginning of his remarks. The predecessors in title of the present company that owns the cemetery sold off vast areas of land that were attached to the original Victorian cemetery. If all that land had not been sold off, the issue would not have arisen. Is this not a case of a commercial organisation, having sold off a lot of its surplus land for housing, trying to use the land it has in a different way, arguing that it has not got enough space?
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
David John Barrington Burrowes (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is trying to reach into the motivations and the history. At the beginning of my remarks I referred to the history and the involvement of the Great Northern Railway. The original aspiration was that the cemetery would serve the interests of Londoners for centuries, but that did not happen. We can go as far back in history as my hon. Friend wants, but we are where we are now. Although there is inevitably some commercial motivation for a sustainable commercial future, it is undeniably the fact that for the communities that the cemetery serves, there is an interest in ensuring that there are adequate graves available for their burials The consultations that have taken place have not led to any petitions. They have led to understanding and support for the in-principle situation. There needs to be a level playing field between the powers available for municipal cemeteries, which have also taken an interest in how much land is available as municipal land, and for privately owned cemeteries, which should have the proper powers available to them. I therefore commend the Bill to the House.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): It is great that we are having a debate about the Bill. If I had not tabled a blocking motion, it would have gone through Second Reading on the nod. It is undesirable that issues such as this are not open to debate and discussion in this House The Bill touches on an area that successive Governments have long avoided. In 2004, the Labour Government held a consultation on the possible re-use of graves. The consultation lasted six months, and after about three years there was a response from the Government in which they said that they were definitely going to do something about it, and quickly. Nothing has happened since. A Minister in the coalition Government, the former Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, Simon Hughes, said that they were definitely going to do something about it, but, again, nothing has happened. Perhaps the Minister on the Front Bench today will seize the moment to tell the House what the Government’s plans are in respect of the cemetery The issue is much bigger than is reflected in the terms of the Bill. I do not intend to divide the House on it, but in such a debate it is important to be able to ask a few questions. When my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) comes to sum up, I hope he will be able to respond to them The cemetery has a long and interesting history. It was originally some 200 acres. Over a period of time—this is the ninth Bill relating to this land to come before the House, and there have been eight Acts of Parliament since 1855 covering New Southgate cemetery—more and more of the cemetery has been sold off. In 1976, the Great Northern transferred the ownership and management of the remaining parts of the cemetery to New Southgate. Since then, part of the cemetery has been sold off and part has been transferred to the Baha’is.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Theresa Anne Villiers (Conservative, Centre-right): Is it really unreasonable for land set aside to accommodate the dead to occasionally be sold off to accommodate the living? That does not seem an unreasonable thing for the cemetery to have done, and it is not really a reason to oppose the Bill.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Public Lands
Christopher Robert Chope (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said, I am not opposing the Bill. What is unreasonable is that land retained to bury the dead was disposed of, and now the owners of that land, who profited from the sale of it, are saying, "We have not got enough space. We need special powers to reuse graves." There is a difference between reusing graves in a municipal burial ground, where a local authority is accountable to local people, and reusing graves in a private burial ground, where there is no such accountability What worries me is that the local authority has apparently been unhelpful in allowing an extension to this area so that there is more space for the burial of the dead. More land has been sold than is needed now, but as soon as this organisation seeks to purchase a bit more land, all sorts of problems are apparently put in its way by the local authority—the very local authority that, I suspect, developed the houses on the land that was sold to it originally.
New Southgate Cemetery [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-11-29
Topic: Civil Rights
Matthew James Offord (Conservative, Centre-right): I would gently urge my hon. Friend to recognise that my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr Burrowes) and I have areas with great religious diversity, and the pattern of burial and cremation has changed in our constituencies over the years. Between 1997 and 2009, the number of cremations in London fell from 48,275 to 36,736, and the nature of our constituencies means that many people, for religious reasons, cannot be cremated, as people would have been previously, when the land was disposed of.