argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Position — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Charles Geoffrey Cox (Conservative, Centre-right): I have said why. I truly wish that I were not in this position and the Government were not in this position. [Interruption.] I do believe it. I do not know what the hon. Member for Cardiff North (Anna McMorrin) is saying. If I did not believe it, I would not be here now saying what I am saying. It is contrary to the public interest; I would be damaging the public interest if I took this decision. I am here to answer the questions of Opposition and Government Members as frankly and candidly as I can. Nothing that I advise today will be different from any other advice that I may or may not have given.
Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Position — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander John Gervase Chalk (Conservative, Centre-right): If we found ourselves in the backstop, we might seek to argue that the European Union had not acted in good faith and had not used best endeavours. Who would appoint the body that would adjudicate on that dispute, and how could we be satisfied that we were going to get a fair hearing?
Withdrawal Agreement: Legal Position — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Charles Geoffrey Cox (Conservative, Centre-right): I had no discussions with the Chief Whip about the decision to vote or not to vote on this matter. I hope that answers the hon. Gentleman’s question. [Interruption.] Forgive me, Mr Speaker. If I have omitted part of the question, I wonder if the hon. Member could put it again.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Charles Geoffrey Cox (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As I indicated during the course of the debate, I had concluded, and I think mentioned, that I will be writing to you this evening, setting out the Government’s proposals in connection with this matter. I wonder if I could invite you to consider that letter, as I am sure you will, in due course this evening.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Well, I await—[Interruption.] Order. I note what the Attorney General has said, and, of course, I shall be interested to see any letter that he chooses to send to me. It is important that this matter is dealt with in a timely fashion. That is a highly relevant consideration for me to take into account, but I have heard, with respect, what the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said, and I wait to see what emerges.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Robert James MacGillivray Neill (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The letter that the hon. Member for Torfaen (Nick Thomas-Symonds) referred to touches upon a most grave matter in any view to all Members of the House. Is it either in order or courteous that the text of that letter should have been released to a journalist who has then put it up on Twitter? I know that that was because of the journalist, but was it in order for hon. Members or those acting on their behalf to release it before you were apparently aware of it or had had the chance to consider it and rule on it?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): It is always best if letters sent to me are received and seen by me before they are seen by others, but I will address the substantive responsibility that is invested in me—that is frankly a different and on the whole rather more important matter, but I always treat the hon. Gentleman and all Members with courtesy. I note what he said and I issued my response in the first sentence of my reply to him.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Anne Margaret Main (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. As usual, you have called every Member of the House who wished to ask a question, but the convention of the House is that we have no rebuttal or right to come back on any questions asked. Given that the Attorney General said that he was happily going to answer any questions, as someone with no legal background I feel that I have had to play guess the question of what we may need to know that we have not been able to ask. Would it be in order for the House to table a series of questions to be answered—anything that they would have liked to put to the Attorney General, but did not get the opportunity to ask—and for those to be answered as quickly as possible to give us more information than we could glean today?
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me say in all courtesy that I am not sure, given the pressure of time, of the practicality of the arrangement that the hon. Lady is advocating. For the avoidance of doubt, however, let me say to her that I have no reason to doubt either her legitimately insatiable appetite for interrogation—a very proper appetite in a committed parliamentarian, which she is—or indeed, that of the Attorney General to respond to questions. Therefore, in an ideal world, I would be quite open to the idea that there could be further questioning. As the House will know, I am an unusual fellow—I enjoy few things more than listening to my colleagues asking questions and Ministers answering them, which is probably quite useful really, given that that is what the Speaker of the House is expected to do. However, we have come up against the matter of practicality, and although the hon. Lady may now have her head filled with questions that she wishes she had asked, but has not done so, we have to progress and expedite matters. I hope that she will feel pleased that she has at least asked a question, and she can make her own assessment as to the quality of the answer. If, separately, she wishes to beetle up to her right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General, I feel sure that she will be greeted with the courtesy that he invariably displays.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): The Attorney General is nodding his assent to that proposition. Just to be clear, the hon. Gentleman is asking whether he can have sight of the Attorney General’s letter, and I think that the Attorney General is signalling that the answer to that is yes.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his point of order. The short answer is that, as far as I am aware, no request has been made by the Minister concerned or any other Minister to make a statement of correction or other statement on this matter. If a Minister believes that he or she has erred, it is not just open to that Minister to correct the record, it is incumbent upon him or her to do so. I have received no such indication. The hon. Gentleman is a versatile and experienced parliamentarian and can pursue this matter further, if he so wishes, in a variety of ways, whether in correspondence or through questions, but not further tonight by this mechanism.
Points of Order — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): If anybody has inadvertently misled the House, that person must correct the record, but I hope the hon. Gentleman will accept that I do not think it incumbent on me now to act as arbiter of whether it happened. The issue has been given a full airing. Both hon. Members are very experienced, are not backward in coming forward and can pursue this matter either through the use of the Order Paper or by other means in the days ahead. I do not in any sense seek to deny them the opportunity to do so If there are no further points of order, if the appetite has at last been satisfied—it is very important that Members have the opportunity to express themselves—we can now proceed. The Minister looks very relieved about that.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
William Grant (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s speech for its pleasant journey through history—it is history as seen through the rose-tinted glasses of the SNP. He may wish to reflect on the time when Scotland chased the colonies and wanted to build its own colony cultures under the Darien scheme. Perhaps he could share his views on that with the House.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
James Stephen Heappey (Conservative, Centre-right): Perhaps, for those of us who have not been able to attend the whole debate, the Minister could update the House on some of the deviations that SNP Members deployed, so that we can understand the full breadth of the debate that we have missed.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): Before the Minister moves on from the important topic of soft power, will he join me in expressing great pride that in taking the No. 1 soft-power position the UK pushed France down to No. 2 and Germany to No. 3? What role does he believe that great British institutions such as the BBC and our arts and culture can play in making sure that we retain that No. 1 spot?
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I apologise for interrupting this fascinating debate. Mr Speaker’s announcement earlier this evening of the contempt motion to be considered tomorrow, is obviously quite a rare thing. As a relatively new Member, it is not something that I have experienced before. Given your procedural excellence and extreme knowledge of this area, I am sure that you will be the best person to advise me. What would be the procedure if a Member wished to table an amendment to that? Could it be done as a manuscript amendment tomorrow given that this is quite a new thing and quite a significant motion? I felt that it was appropriate to raise it on the Floor of the House and ask for guidance on this point.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): If I can just complete the sentence, I will be very happy to give way to the hon. Lady, who has been very active tonight and is clearly approaching this debate with enormous enthusiasm Teaching English as a foreign language is massively important as it competes with other languages across the world, but remains the most dominant and important language in it. This is where the British Council does so much good. I never cease to be amazed when I visit another country—as a Foreign Office Minister, or as I did when I was a DFID Minister—to see the enthusiasm with which people queue up to benefit from British Council courses to learn English. It would be a disaster if we were ever to turn our backs on this massively effective effort. Of course, we are not in any way choosy about the accents that are taught; what matters is that the language is there. It really is amazing the way that people lap up the opportunity to learn and do so with great enthusiasm.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
William Grant (Conservative, Centre-right): Will my right hon. Friend share with me some of the successes of Scotland such as Robert Burns; Alexander Graham Bell; John Logie Baird; James Keir Hardie—dare I say it?—the Labour party founder; Sir William Arrol, who worked on the Titanic and the Forth rail bridge; and two Nobel prize winners from Kilmarnock Academy, one of whom was Sir Alexander Fleming? These individuals are a great success for Scotland, with the common bond that they were all part of the United Kingdom.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The history of invention from Scotland almost beggars belief. You can go on a steam engine, had you one nearby, knowing that it had been invented by James Watt; you can speak on a telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell; and if you are ill, it is Mr Fleming’s penicillin that could probably save you. That is but one of many, many Scottish inventions that we applaud and salute.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Simon James Hoare (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for giving way. He is being uncharacteristically generous with his time—and what a lot of time he has to be generous with. He is a long-serving Member of this House. Would he share with the House the emotional response that he had when those great inventions were actually invented?
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): Despite my ageing looks, I can assure my hon. Friend that I was not there at the time of the invention of the steam engine or, indeed, the light bulb. I missed the invention of penicillin by a whisker, but I am sure there will be future inventions that coincide with my lifetime.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Caroline Elizabeth Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to go to the Falkland Islands with the armed forces parliamentary scheme. The Minister has spoken so much tonight about foreign policy and South America. While I was in the Falkland Islands, I met constituents of mine from Lincolnshire and also constituents from Scotland working at RAF Lossiemouth. Can the Minister update us on the new air bridge between the Falkland Islands and Argentina?
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): We may well have a competition among Government and Opposition Members over which great Scottish inventions emanated from their constituencies. I of course acknowledge what my hon. Friend said The cultural diversity and international prominence of our constituent nations, cities and regions, particularly in areas such as tourism, culture, education, trade and sport, is becoming increasingly important and recognised on the global stage. As I said to my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green), we are actively promoting the devolved nations abroad, and that continues to be a priority for the Government. The GREAT campaign remains our most iconic brand and has delivered an estimated £4 billion of economic returns to the UK economy. I am sure there are many examples of what the GREAT campaign has done.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): I am always happy to talk about Scotland because, without a bit of Scotland, I would not be here tonight. My family lived in Caithness through many generations, and I feel my Scottish roots very deeply. When it comes to Caithness and Wick, I can of course look on many SNP Members as southerners, but I will resist the temptation to rub it in tonight.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Kevin John Foster (Conservative, Centre-right): I must say I am very much enjoying this debate, which I am finding very interesting. Does the Minister agree with me that it is quite bizarre to have Scottish National party Members complain about the interest in their own debate and the fact that people have shown up for it? Compared with their usual moan, it is really quite bizarre.
Scotland’s Foreign Policy Footprint — House of Commons, 2018-12-03
Topic: Other
Alan James Carter Duncan (Conservative, Centre-right): There is no way of beating that, Mr Deputy Speaker. I congratulate you on leavening tonight’s proceedings My right hon. Friend, who is the greatest drummer in the House of Commons, plays in a band—MP4—with a fellow Member of the House who is of course from Scotland. Buy their records now. I am sure they will make one for Christmas; if not, they have about a week to do so, but that should be fine.
Train Timetable Changes — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not wish to disappoint the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr Seely), but he does have Question 9, which will be reached and is grouped, so it is mildly inconvenient to call him any earlier than that. We are keeping him waiting, but it will be worth waiting for, I feel sure.
Local Roads — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Housing
Alexander Jesse Norman (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady will be surprised to know that there is a housing infrastructure fund that is in part precisely designed to facilitate the relationship between road building and new housing, and of course, that is what it is doing.
Engineering: Girls and People from Ethnic Backgrounds — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Stephen James Metcalfe (Conservative, Centre-right): Over the past year, I have been greatly encouraged by the reaction that I have seen from young people as they come into direct contact with inspiring engineers from all backgrounds. Does my hon. Friend share my commitment to finding a way to carry on the good work of the Year of Engineering, so that we can continue to push the message that engineering is open to everyone, regardless of background, ethnicity and gender?
Air Travel: Disabled People — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you, Mr Speaker. That is very kind of you. The Access for All fund has £300 million, and we had more than 300 applications. Decisions on the stations that will be able to receive that extra funding will be made early next year.
TOCs: Derogations from Franchise Obligations — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is a long-standing campaigner on this issue. He is right to say that we want to see the services in the franchise resumed. The derogation was granted in March, and I know he has met my predecessor to discuss this issue. The works at Filton Bank are progressing, but this is a complex project. It is firmly on my radar, but perhaps I may ask him to meet me so that we can review the project and I can update him.
Free Ports — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nusrat Munir Ul-Ghani (Conservative, Centre-right): The cost and benefits of free port status will depend on the final outcome of the Brexit negotiations, but we in the Department are preparing for all outcomes. The hon. Gentleman will know that I will continue to work as hard as I can to ensure that our ports sector is promoted, and continues to be efficient and as competitive as possible.
Crossrail: Mayor of London — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Other
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I know that the conversations involving the Secretary of State are extensive. I have not personally had any yet, as this is day 6, but I intend to pick up on those conversations in order to support my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
Crossrail: Mayor of London — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Other
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): Order. Just before we come to topical questions, I want to advise the House of a change in the order of business. After topical questions, we were due to have an urgent question on Bombardier, followed by the business question. In fact, what is now going to happen is that after topical questions we will have the business question, and after that there will be a ministerial statement on Bombardier. I have agreed to a request for such a change to be made. The rationale for it is not something that I need to go into now, but I am advising the House so that colleagues can make their preparations accordingly.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2018-11-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: In my recent community consultation, I heard growing concerns about bus services and prices, particularly from young people. Sheffield fares are as high as £3 for journeys of little more than a mile and a half. Throughout the country we have seen a 12-year low in the number of bus journeys. The spiral of decline started with Tory deregulation in the 1980s, but since 2010 bus budgets across England and Wales have been cut by 45%. When are the Government going to recognise that we need a new approach?; Disruption on the M20, M26 and all roads in Kent is having a serious impact on the county’s economy. Schools are reporting that as many as 15% of students are getting in late, and businesses are already preparing for shift working in case their employees cannot get to work. That will cost serious time and serious money. A combination of works on the M26 and overnight closures on the M20 not ending until 6 am are causing the problems. My hon. Friends the Members for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch), for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) and for Faversham and Mid Kent (Helen Whately) and I have already written to Highways England for answers. Will the Minister explain to residents, schools and businesses in Kent just what he, Highways England and Kent County Council are doing to keep Kent moving?; Following the massive reductions in bus services in parts of Stoke-on-Trent, does my hon. Friend agree that it is essential to take action to strengthen the local bus market to improve services in the city?; Following our summer of severe service disruption that saw Northern rail cancel more than 12,000 services, will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can ensure that it does not happen next year? More importantly, though, can we also discuss the building of the South Fylde line, which will see the doubling of the service from once an hour to every half an hour, as it will be a huge boost to the Fylde coast?
Andrew Hanson Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): We have been very clear that disruption following the introduction of the May timetable was entirely unacceptable. I would, of course, be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss his proposals and the work that is under way to ensure that we minimise the risk of disruption for future timetable changes.