argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Centenary of the Armistice — House of Commons, 2018-11-06
Topic: Mixed Topics
Kevin Denis Brennan (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend is absolutely right to refer to the founding of the Women’s Institute. May I also pay tribute to him for rightly drawing attention, as a former merchant seaman, to the sacrifice of the merchant navy? It is of course because of these sacrifices that the centenary of Armistice Day, and Remembrance Sunday each year, are an essential part of our cultural life. We must remember those who fought to keep us safe. We must recommit to ensuring that we never allow such division and devastation to happen again With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I will close, as others have done, with poetry. I turn to the words of Hedd Wyn’s poem "Rhyfel", which means war in Welsh. I will read part of it in Welsh first and then give the English translation. It reads: "Mae’r hen delynau genid gynt, Yng nghrog ar gangau'r helyg draw, A gwaedd y bechgyn lond y gwynt, A’u gwaed yn gymysg efo’r glaw It translates as follows: "The harps to which we sang, are hung On willow boughs, and their refrain Drowned by the anguish of the young Whose blood is mingled with the rain." Mr Speaker, we will remember them.
Industrial Strategy — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Lesley Margaret Langan Laird (Labour, Centre-left): As a football fan, I wish England good luck tonight in their semi-final. Although 1966 may have been a very good year, 1967 was even better In 1999 it was a Labour Secretary of State for Scotland who stood up for Scottish shipyards and ensured that the contract for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was given to the shipyards in Govan. Roll forward to 2018 and the contract for the fleet solid support ships is out for tender. Analysis by the GMB shows a direct tax and national insurance benefit and return to the Treasury of £285 million, but so far, the current Conservative Secretary of State has refused to stand up for Scottish shipyards. I therefore ask him a very straightforward question: why not?
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Legislative Consent — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What recent discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) Prime Minister on the Scottish Parliament’s decision not to grant a legislative consent motion for the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.; What recent discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) Prime Minister on the Scottish Parliament’s decision not to grant a legislative consent motion for the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.; What recent discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) Prime Minister on the Scottish Parliament’s decision not to grant a legislative consent motion for the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Paul John Sweeney (Labour, Centre-left): I feel that I ought to congratulate the Secretary of State on achieving a new milestone as the longest-serving member in one role in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, but I fear that may be by virtue of his invisibility, rather than his invincibility. As we have just heard, the Secretary of State is failing to stand up for Scotland’s interests when it comes to shipbuilding, and he and his 12 Scottish Tory colleagues have failed to stand up for Scotland’s devolution settlement. Will he use the influence that he should have developed over the past few years and condemn his Government’s handling of the devolution settlement, thereby demonstrating that he is not just Scotland’s invisible man in the Cabinet?
Afghanistan — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Immigration
Jessica Elizabeth Morden (Labour, Centre-left): What is the Secretary of State doing with the Home Office to address the issues faced by the Afghan interpreters who have settled here under the Government’s scheme, but are now facing real difficulties in being reunited with their families here because of the normal spousal visa rules? The work of those interpreters was crucial and dangerous, and they deserve better.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Other
Margaret Greenwood (Labour, Centre-left): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his remarks. He will be aware, and I will cover this further on in my speech, that she apologised for one of the three aspects for which an apology was necessary.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
James Dolan Cunningham (Labour, Centre-left): We have to put this whole debate on universal credit in context. In at least two general elections, the Government said in their manifestos that they would cut £12 billion off the national health service. What we have is a benefit system that is tailor-made for cuts and not for the benefit of the people who receive it.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Margaret Greenwood (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend makes an interesting point about cuts The Secretary of State’s second claim was that the report did not take into account the impact of recent changes made by the Government. This is curious.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Other
Margaret Greenwood (Labour, Centre-left): I am not going to give way and I would point out that the right hon. Gentleman has called the report "shoddy", so excuse me if I continue. Thirdly, the Secretary of State claimed that universal—[Interruption.]
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Other
Rosalie Winterton (Labour, Centre-left): It is absolutely up to the hon. Lady whether to take any interventions. Hon. Members really should not be interrupting speeches with points of order over and again. It is becoming a bit of a habit, and not a very healthy one.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Anneliese Jane Dodds (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Precisely on that point—which I have raised repeatedly with Ministers, but to no avail—does she accept that the Government’s position of not allowing advice agencies to help people with their claims after they changed the implied consent rules is shown to be completely bankrupt when such a high proportion of people cannot get their claims sorted out online?
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Housing
Liam Dominic Byrne (Labour, Centre-left): The Secretary of State will remember that back in 2013 I warned that this was not a benefit that was ready for wide-scale roll-out. In my Birmingham constituency, we have the DWP telling my constituents that they cannot apply for housing credit through universal credit. They get sent to Birmingham City Council, which then sends them back to the DWP. There is still a level of chaos on the frontline that meant that one of my constituents told me that not only could they not afford to eat, she could not afford to put socks on her children’s feet.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Catherine Elizabeth West (Labour, Centre-left): This is a matter for the public record. It has been on my Twitter feed in the last 48 hours. This is how people are living day in, day out—in a tent in a bin chamber.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Other
Frank Field (Labour, Centre-left): An apology: I was in the House when somebody repeated that campaign phrase against the Secretary of State. I was stunned by what was said, and I hope that she will forgive me for not getting up immediately to object to it. I apologise for my total failure to respond as a human being when that was said, and I hope that she forgives me if I do not actually recite what was said, because such nastiness and evil is not directed just at her; it is directed at my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle), the neighbouring constituency to the one that the Secretary of State fought. What is occurring is a disgrace. How we stop it, I do not know, but we can at least apologise when it occurs. I am grateful that the right hon. Lady raised it today so that my saying that would be in order.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Ruth Stephanie Nicole George (Labour, Centre-left): Ministers have been saying that the advance payments solve the problem of the long wait, but the evidence we are getting from the Trussell Trust, among others, is that the high rates of repayment of those advances mean that they do not solve anything, but just prolong the debt that people are in.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Jessica Elizabeth Morden (Labour, Centre-left): I absolutely agree. I believe that they are doing the best they can with the tools that they have been given, but they need far more resources I hope that the Minister who winds up will adopt a more conciliatory tone. It is not enough to say that the delays can be solved by advance payments, or that it is too early to assess the impacts. The evidence is plain to see in our constituencies. The Government have been forced to change parts of this policy, and it is now time for them to pause and listen. If the roll-out speeds up and takes on the more complicated cases, we will, I fear, see only more debt and hardship among those who need the system to help them into work, or to support them if they cannot work.
The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Melanie Onn (Labour, Centre-left): Would my hon. Friend be surprised to learn that there is a glitch in the system that seems to be putting people into debt? Someone in my constituency has been able to apply for advance payment seven times; because of that glitch, they now have £1,700 of arrears. Is that what the system was designed to do?
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
John Francis Spellar (Labour, Centre-left): Will the Minister confirm that the Korean shipbuilder that took this contract, DSME, underbid and actually lost significant sums of money on the contract? It was not a fair contract, and because of its general business practices, it came very close to going bankrupt and had to be bailed out.
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Nia Rhiannon Griffith (Labour, Centre-left): Does the Minister recognise that the Parker report very clearly mentions having a "drumbeat" of orders? That is vital to the industry so that we do not lose skills, so that we do not fall behind on R&D and so that we can remain in the game. Does he agree that that is important and that these ships could contribute to that drumbeat of orders?
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Mary Theresa Glindon (Labour, Centre-left): The GMB commissioned a Survation survey that found that 74% of people want these ships to be built in this country. Do not public opinion and the pride that people would feel if the ships were built here matter as much as value for money?
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Paul John Sweeney (Labour, Centre-left): The Minister mentions the River class batch 2, which was primarily designed to maintain production at Govan shipyard until the Type 26 was of sufficient maturity to begin construction. Does he accept that the only reason why Govan shipyard is open today is because a Royal Fleet Auxiliary order for the Wave Ruler was placed there in 1999 to keep the yard open until the Type 45 build could start? The only reason why that yard exists today is because the Government placed that Royal Fleet Auxiliary order with Govan, and that is exactly what we are arguing for today: to maintain these builds in the UK to maintain industrial capability.
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Wayne David (Labour, Centre-left): On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Earlier, the Minister was adamant that there had been a British bid for the MARS tanker contract. That was not the case, and I wonder whether he would like to correct the record.
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Other
Lindsay Harvey Hoyle (Labour, Centre-left): The matter is now on the record for it to be picked up—[Interruption.] Hot potatoes I now have to announce the result of today’s deferred Division, which was subject to a double majority vote under Standing Order No. 83Q, in respect of the Question relating to the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order. The Ayes were 299 and the Noes were 211. In respect of the same Question among those Members from qualifying constituencies in England and Wales, the Ayes were 282 and the Noes were 201, so the Ayes have it [The Division list is published at the end of today’s debates.]
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Paul John Sweeney (Labour, Centre-left): The hon. Gentleman has perhaps heard of learning curves, which drive efficiency and productivity improvements, but that relies on a consistent drumbeat of work in order to hone efficiencies. His prescription militates exactly against such efficiencies being achieved.
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Emma Louise Lewell-Buck (Labour, Centre-left): I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. She is spot on. My dad spent a lot of time away—so much so that once when he came home, I did not even recognise him In 1981, 26,000 people were employed in shipbuilding and ship repair in the north-east. Today, that figure stands at a mere 525. My dad and the lads he worked with went from building ships, to repairing them, to being undercut by unscrupulous employers who exploited those coming from other EU states. Now many of the valuable skills that they could have passed on are dying out and fewer younger generations are looking to shipbuilding and ship repair as a career This Government have said that they want a strong shipbuilding industry, and that they want to inspire a new shipbuilding generation and transform today’s traditional shipbuilding regions into engines of economic growth. Today, they have an opportunity to put that rhetoric into action, delivering jobs and certainty for the future that will invigorate the communities in those regions. I just hope that they are listening.
Defence Industry and Shipbuilding — House of Commons, 2018-07-11
Topic: Mixed Topics
Wayne David (Labour, Centre-left): I thank my fellow Welshman for giving way. Does he think it is fair that we could be in a situation with the FSS ships where British companies will be competing with heavily subsidised companies from abroad? Is that a level playing field?
Sexual Violence in Conflict — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Immigration
Christopher Philip James Elmore (Labour, Centre-left): The Minister will be aware that there are many Rohingya children living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Will she set out in more detail what she is doing to support these boys and girls, who are at extreme risk of sexual violence?
Tobacco — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Other
Christopher John Bryant (Labour, Centre-left): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We have just agreed that the Bill is theoretically going to be read a Second time on 23 November. Unfortunately, on that day, 150 private Members’ Bills are going to be considered, 148 of which—now 149—I suspect will not be reached. Under our Standing Orders, the Government have to provide us with 13 days in a Session for private Members’ Bills. They guaranteed that they would provide additional days in this Session, because it is a two-year Session. They are considering having a two-year Session next time as well. Would it not be a good idea if they announced some additional days for private Members’ Bills—today, for instance?
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
John Martin McDonnell (Labour, Centre-left): My hon. Friend has got it exactly It takes something, does it not, to have headteachers marching on Downing Street? That has never been seen before. Just what did yesterday’s Budget do to tempt teachers back? What the Chancellor offered was "little extras". It was an insult, especially when 60% of teachers are not getting a pay rise this year There are now 4 million children living in poverty, 500 children’s centres have closed, 500 children’s playgrounds have closed and 128,000 children are living in temporary accommodation. When children’s social care faces a funding gap of £3 billion by 2025, what did the Chancellor offer? Just £84 million for just 20 councils. That will not even scratch the surface of the problem.
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Housing
John Martin McDonnell (Labour, Centre-left): The facts speak for themselves. To make a real difference to the lives of young people, the Chancellor needed to address the housing crisis, deal with the toppling mountain of student loans, and restore work allowances for single people and couples without children. Instead we got piecemeal, unambitious housing announcements and re-announcements, nothing on student finances, and nothing on universal credit recipients who are single and without children.
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Housing
Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Labour, Centre-left): Does my right hon. Friend agree that it was a disgrace that yesterday we heard that the Government are going to save the high street by turning our shops into residential properties and risking the very fundamentals of how the high street operates?
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Yvonne Helen Fovargue (Labour, Centre-left): I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. I also think that the rules on terminal illness should be changed Going back to the question of the breathing space, the devil will be in the detail. For a breathing space scheme to work well, it has to have minimum standards. It has to provide enough time for the person in debt to get advice on the best way to resolve their problem debts, to recover from temporary financial difficulties and enter a statutory debt solution, and to pay their debts at a manageable rate. There must also be funding so people can access free, independent and impartial services speedily, because when people decide they are at the end of their tether, they want to see someone quickly The Government suggest a breathing space of 60 days, but debt advisers need the flexibility to recommend an extension. I worry that if the arrangement is too rigid, creditors may well delay until someone gets out of the breathing space period so they can start chasing them again. Call me cynical, but that is what 23 years at Citizens Advice does There is clear consensus that a breathing space solution must cover all debts, including debts to the Government—household bills such as council tax and moneys owed to central Government. It must also offer protection against further interest and charges, and against enforcement action. Creditors must stop collection activities such as calls, letters and visits—that means no more bailiffs. Returning briefly to universal credit, there must be no deductions from benefits or other income to recover outstanding debts during the breathing space period, future deductions must be affordable, and—please—there must be no public register of people who enter a breathing space. Evidence from Scotland shows that that deters people from doing so. If there is going to be such a register, let us make it private between creditors and people in debt I welcome the announcement that the Government will look at no-interest loans, although the long timescale will allow many people to fall into debt. It is unfortunate that, despite the work of the Law Commission, Government time was not given to debate ending the exploitation of a Victorian law that was used as a vehicle for logbook loans I turn to education—in particular sixth-form funding, which is at crisis level.
Budget Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-10-30
Topic: Mixed Topics
Alexander Cunningham (Labour, Centre-left): Most certainly. My hon. Friend and I represent between us some of the most difficult areas in Stockton, with high levels of smoking and drinking that make the national average pale into total insignificance. We desperately need that additional funding, so I most certainly agree with him Our local North Tees hospital does an exemplary job in the most difficult circumstances, yet it could do so much better in a modern building with services that are required cheek by jowl and where people can be treated in wards rather than converted corridors. That is why we need a new hospital in Stockton and why I will mention that in every Budget speech I ever make until I get it Still on health, the police and crime commissioner for Cleveland has been doing excellent work on the introduction of heroin-assisted treatment in neighbouring Middlesbrough—a project that the experts believe will help to save lives and money and reduce crime across Teesside—but he needs Government support to make it the best that it can be. I hope that there will be a full Government commitment to that initiative On policing, I am really worried, like my colleague next door in Stockton South, about policing in our area. Like most others, the Cleveland police force area has been short-changed by this Government over many years and the police know that they can no longer deliver the full service that is needed. As my hon. Friend said, over the last eight years, the Government grant for policing and crime in Cleveland has been cut by around 24%. He also outlined in detail why we need that extra money, yet Cleveland is harder hit by cuts than most other forces because of how it is categorised. The county is largely rural, but the vast majority of the population is in inner-city areas, with the same challenges of the cities, yet we do not get the same level of funding. Let me be clear: there will be severe repercussions for public safety and criminal justice in Cleveland if the people do not get more funding On education, the Chancellor announced some one-off funding for schools to pay for little extras, but it is teachers and action on pay that they need. Stockton’s branch of the National Education Union visited my surgery on Friday. It wants to see the Government fund the full pay award rather than leave schools to do it. It also wants all teachers treated fairly, which the pay award fails to do. I hope that they will hear something better from the Government in future I simply plead again with the Chancellor to do the right thing by Stockton: help us to tackle the health inequalities that we have; help us to deliver the public health programmes that help to educate people about the choices that they have in life; and please find a way to build us a new hospital.