argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): With respect to my hon. Friend, until we see the make-up of the inquiry process, we will not know the answer to that. I made it very clear that if Israel is not only to undertake its legal obligations for what has happened on its territory but to fulfil its own processes, an international element to the investigation will clearly be one of the most important things, and that should bring the transparent and independent element that the UK and others have called for in order to find out the answers to these questions.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I said during my statement last week that I had recently met the Quartet’s economic director, looking at existing proposals for improving the infrastructure in Gaza, including the water infrastructure. Again as I mentioned, it is clear to anyone who goes there what the circumstances are and how desperate the water and other situations are. The infrastructure needs improving, and improving quickly, and all parties involved in Gaza need to take steps to make sure it happens.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I think that the circumstances of last week indicate—as the United Kingdom Government have said on many occasions—that there is no status quo in relation to Gaza. Conditions are getting worse, and circumstances are getting worse. As we rightly call on Israel in relation to issues such as settlements, in relation to Gaza we remain of the view that until these issues are settled there is no future, and no future for peace in the region.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Stephen Crabb (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that what this points to again is the need for reform of the UN Human Rights Council? Does he agree that, whatever difficult questions Israel needs to answer about last week’s violence, using this absurd body on which some of the world’s worst human rights abusers play judge and jury on the rest of the world is not the way to deal with that?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): As I have said, the United Kingdom has had concerns about the UN Human Rights Council for some time, particularly in relation to Israel. We are not alone in that. The Human Rights Council must be impartial and balanced, and it has not always demonstrated those qualities in relation to Israel.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Law and Crime
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): As I said earlier, I believe that an independent element in any investigation is vital if anyone is to feel confident about finding out whether or not the circumstances were as the hon. Lady has described them.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Robert John Blackman (Conservative, Centre-right): Given that 50 members of Hamas and three members of Islamic Jihad were killed, and given that Hamas has now admitted that one of those incidents involved a gunfight between its members and the IDF, has my right hon. Friend any confidence at all that Hamas will co-operate with any independent inquiry?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): That, of course, will be a matter for the inquiry itself. Just as we are not rushing to prejudge an inquiry by not supporting a resolution that we felt would have led to an unbalanced inquiry, I am not prepared to say that there is evidence that Hamas would or would not co-operate with any inquiry into what happened in relation to the allegations made about it.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I remind the House that we joined European allies—Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia—in the vote last week, so we are indeed talking to our European allies about what might be the best way to proceed. I do not think there is any clear pathway yet beyond what I have already indicated: the inquiry must have a transparent and independent element.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
John Robert Lamont (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that Israel is the only properly functioning democracy in that part of the world, and that it is right for it to be able to defend itself against aggression and terrorism, as it has done so successfully for the last 70 years?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Zac Goldsmith (Conservative, Centre-right): The UN Human Rights Council has held a total of 28 urgent sessions; not one of them has focused on Iran, North Korea, Turkey, Russia, China, Venezuela, Yemen, Crimea, Pakistan, Somalia and so on, yet eight of those 28 have been on Israel. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that organisation lacks any credibility whatsoever as an impartial observer?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): The hard truth of what my hon. Friend said stands for itself, and illustrates the degree of difficulty the Human Rights Council now has in relation to Israel in demonstrating its independence and therefore being a credible body. That was one of the influences on the United Kingdom, besides the unbalanced resolution, that a number of our European allies supported.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I will endeavour to do so; that is a perfectly understandable and fair question. I draw attention to what we said in terms of the explanation of the vote: "The loss of life, casualties and volume of live fire presents a depressingly familiar and unacceptable pattern. This cannot be ignored." We called on Israel directly to "carry out what must be a transparent inquiry into the IDF’s conduct at the border fence and to demonstrate how this will achieve a sufficient level of independence." Difficult as it is, the UK taking a more balanced position on this than some enables us to remain in an impartial position in relation to this, which would be lost completely if we jumped one side or the other.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Paul Masterton (Conservative, Centre-right): The Minister has pointed out that about a dozen other nations abstained on the motion. Is he able to clarify that their reasons for doing so mirrored those of the United Kingdom, namely that it was partial and imbalanced as written?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I am afraid that I have no information on that for the hon. Lady. I can say that since the events of last week I have met the Israeli ambassador here to stress what I said earlier about the importance of independent investigations, but I have no information on what she asked.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Matthew James Offord (Conservative, Centre-right): Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar says the purpose of the violence is to breach the border and murder Israelis living nearby. Does my right hon. Friend agree that Israel not only has a right to defend its border but must do so, and that includes using military action?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): Again, uncomfortable as some of these statements are, it is entirely clear why Israel would seek to make sure that there was no breach of the border. There have been previous incidents in which Hamas operatives have taken Israeli lives, but it is to get to the bottom of what actually happened—the number of deaths, the extent of live fire—that this has be considered by some degree of independent inquiry.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): It is precisely the opposite, if I may say so to the hon. Lady: that issue would not be clarified by an investigation which from the beginning was clearly seen to be biased and in which it would be unlikely that all available parties would co-operate. It is precisely to unmuddy the waters that we are trying to take, difficult as it is, a more independent and unbiased line.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Nigel Paul Huddleston (Conservative, Centre-right): Israel clearly has questions to answer, but can the Minister confirm that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation, so no one in this place or the UN should be seen as inadvertently defending or excusing it?
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I understand the force of the hon. Lady’s response; she is always honest about all these things. I would point to what we said in the explanation of the vote, which clearly raises questions about Israel’s conduct. We seem to be one of the few Governments prepared to consider both sides of these dreadful incidents, and that is why we want to find the truth about what happened.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): Mention was made of Israel’s activities a number of times throughout the resolution. There was no mention of Hamas, when it appears to be clear that there was engagement and involvement by Hamas, although no one knows how much. That is a vital part of the investigation, but there is no confidence that it would be part of it.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman asks a good question. Before any of these resolutions come together, there is a great deal of contact between member states to try to find a way to broker an appropriate resolution. It normally works on the basis of someone putting forward a draft and other parties coming forward with suggestions, but if there cannot be an agreement, something then gets tabled on which people have to vote.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): It was indeed, and the hon. Lady’s questions are always relevant and to the point. Discussions are still taking place among members of the international community to define exactly what the terms will be. I said earlier that I had spoken to the Israeli ambassador last week, and representations have been made in Israel as well. I have indicated what we believe ought to happen in terms of there being an independent element to any investigation carried out by Israel, and we would like to see that delivered. There will be further consultations on this, as the hon. Lady would expect.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): Other allegations include 50 or so Hamas operatives being involved and improvised explosive devices being placed at the border fence. There has been a whole series of allegations about what has happened. That is why it is essential to get to the truth. We have already expressed our concern about the amount of live fire, and we stand by that.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady is right to say that I have been at the Dispatch Box several times since 2010 in relation to this matter, and we despair at the fact that the arguments are always familiar. As for the long-term fixing of the issues that she raises, it is we who call the settlements illegal and call for an easing of the restrictions on Gaza, but none of that will be accomplished effectively until there is the political settlement that we are all trying to work towards. The United Kingdom unerringly pushes its determination towards that aim, and we do not believe that continuing to call for that while criticising Israel is necessarily a reward.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not think that any investigation is necessarily off the cards. In the first instance, the determination will be for Israel to carry out an investigation, and we have said what we have said about what should accompany that in order to convince the international community. What happens after that will depend on the response to that inquiry.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): It may come down to resolutions at the end of the day, but an agreed mechanism, whereby we can find out what has happened in order to ensure that the circumstances do not arise again, is more likely to be effective. However, that would involve a whole series of other issues that relate to Gaza, as I mentioned earlier, and much determination among the leadership of both Palestine and Israel to ensure that the circumstances do not arise in the future.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman makes a series of assumptions, and I understand where he is coming from. As I indicated last week, the United Kingdom will recognise the state of Palestine when it is conducive to the peace process, but there are more processes that must be gone through. If we are to find out what truly happened in Gaza, there must be a better option than that presented by the Human Rights Council last week.
Gaza: UN Human Rights Council Vote — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: International Affairs
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s question. The short answer is yes. I am in contact with international agencies that are involved in delivering humanitarian medical aid. Gaza’s medical resources, which are already incredibly stretched, will have been put under even greater pressure following the events of the past few weeks. I am looking to see what further the United Kingdom can do beyond the support that we already give to those who provide such help.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Macroeconomics
Peter William Bone (Conservative, Centre-right): I am following the hon. Gentleman’s speech with great interest and I agree entirely with it so far. Does he agree that the Government must table a money resolution, although they do not have to vote for it?
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcomed the opportunity to respond to the urgent question asked by the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Afzal Khan) two weeks ago, when I set out the Government’s approach to money resolutions. I welcome the opportunity to respond again today First, I take my responsibilities to this House very seriously. As you said last week, Mr Speaker, we have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of the House and, as Leader of the House, I seek to do exactly that, treating all Members of Parliament with courtesy and respect. I hope and expect that all right hon. and hon. Members will do likewise. I seek to demonstrate day in, day out that my role as Parliament’s representative in the Government is a duty that is at the heart of all I do. Following the many requests I have received from across the House during this Session, the Government have scheduled debates on vital subjects such as baby loss awareness, housing and anti-Semitism. This week, I am making time available for a debate on serious violence following many calls to debate that vital issue We have scheduled more negative statutory instruments for debate on the Floor of the House than any Government in any Session since 1997. We continue to provide Opposition and Back-Bench days in line with Standing Orders. We are providing support to more than 20 very important private Members’ Bills that will make a difference to the lives of people across the country, including the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Croydon North (Mr Reed); and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill, introduced by the hon. Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck). I have been working hard with colleagues right across the House to bring forward proposals on a new, independent complaints and grievances policy, safeguarding parliamentarians and staff alike to make this a Parliament that we can all be proud to work in, and to ensure that this is a place where people are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady will be aware that it is for the Government to initiate financial resolutions to commit taxpayers’ money. It is not without precedent not to bring forward a money resolution when the Government believe that it is not in the taxpayers’ interest to do so at the time. I will explain that further later The hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton has been quite strong in his language, talking of an abuse of Parliament and accusing the Government of acting in a profoundly undemocratic way. Well, I would strongly put it to him that the Conservative party has done more to support Back-Bench Members than any other in recent history. The Backbench Business Committee was established in 2010, following a commitment in the Conservative manifesto. This has been a much welcomed and successful change. Elections to Select Committees have been introduced. E-petitions have been a huge success, with the Government responding to 125 of them and 22 having already been debated in this Session. We should all be willing to recognise the achievements of the Conservative party in honouring and respecting Parliament. I could go on, but I think I have made the point Week in and week out, I raise matters on behalf of Members from all parties with my colleagues in the Government. I assure the House that this will continue.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Peter William Bone (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is a superb Leader of the House. Of course she makes our representations to the Government, but unfortunately the Government do not necessarily agree. A money resolution should have been provided for the referendum Bill; two wrongs do not make a right.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Macroeconomics
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I always listen very carefully to the views of my hon. Friend, but I am afraid that I must again draw all hon. Members’ attention to the fact that, as set out in "Erskine May", it is for the Government of the day to initiate financial resolutions, of which this is one.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): I want to make a bit of progress and then I will give way some more I now turn to private Members’ Bills specifically. It is absolutely right that Back-Bench Members promote legislation on causes that they and their constituents believe in. However, as Winston Churchill once said: "Not every happy thought which occurs to a Member of Parliament should necessarily find its way on to the statute book." Changes to the law are achieved by way of private Members’ Bills, but it is an important principle that they should make progress only when the ideas behind them have been thoroughly debated and Members are able to win sufficient support from right across these Benches. I gently remind the hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton that it is for the Government of the day to initiate financial resolutions. That is not new, it is not unusual, and it is clearly a constitutional right set out in "Erskine May". I now give way to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Paula Sherriff).
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Mark James Harper (Conservative, Centre-right): As a member of the Public Bill Committee, I listened carefully to what the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich North (Chloe Smith), said. She did not say that the Government would never bring forward the money resolution. She said that she thought it appropriate given the Boundary Commission’s work, which is quite a long way down the road, to wait until it produced its reports to Parliament and the Government would then reflect further. That seems to me to be a perfectly sensible course of action that should command widespread support in the House.
Private Members’ Bills: Money Resolutions — House of Commons, 2018-05-21
Topic: Government Operations
Andrea Jacqueline Leadsom (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is exactly right. The Government have decided not to bring forward a money resolution for the time being, but we will keep this under review and will continue to bring forward money resolutions at the appropriate moment Many excellent PMBs are currently being taken through Parliament. In the current Session, over 150 have been introduced so far and 13 of them have passed Second Reading. Of those 13 Bills, two have completed all stages in this House and have passed to the Lords. Two further Bills have also received money resolutions and completed Committee stage, and they will have their remaining stages over the next few weeks. Hon. Members will be pleased to note that there is a money resolution for the Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Bill, introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone), on the Order Paper for debate later today I would like to draw the House’s attention to the number of PMBs that the Conservatives have supported since 2010. Fifty-three private Members’ Bills have achieved Royal Assent since then, and we expect many more to do so over the course of this Session. That is in stark contrast with Labour, which, in the 2005 Parliament, supported fewer than half that number to achieving Royal Assent. Just 22 Bills made it to the statute book on Labour’s watch.