argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Housing
Richard Michael Bacon (Conservative, Centre-right): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Deputy Speaker. I always think that a time limit is good for focusing the mind and generating extra productivity, so I will adhere to your strictures. The Government said in their Queens’ Speech that they want to build more houses, which is an approach I strongly support. The title of the recent housing White Paper is "Fixing our broken housing market"—an important title and an admission of something that has been increasingly clear for many decades under Governments of all parties: our housing market simply does not work properly. The supply of housing does not rise to meet demand. [Interruption.] I see the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey) nodding, and I am glad that he is nodding; I hope to persuade him of some of the solutions on which he is still resisting my charms. I am sure that I will get there over the course of this Parliament The fact is that our broken housing market is failing to meet aspirations. In effect, demand is unable to influence supply and drive volumes in the way that it does in markets that operate successfully. Some years ago in a Committee room upstairs, the presenter of "Grand Designs", the famous Channel 4 television programme, told our all-party parliamentary group on self-build, custom and community housebuilding and place-making: "The consumer has been on the receiving end of a pretty poor deal. We build some of the poorest, most expensive and smallest homes in Europe. That’s not something to celebrate." At the core of the housing debate is a key intellectual problem: is development good or bad? We often see the word "development" used as a pejorative term, yet the instinct that we all have to nest and to build a home is a response to one of our deepest human needs. Mr Deputy Speaker, if you were to go on a survival course, you would be taught that without food you would die within seven to 10 days and that without water you may last three days, but you can die without shelter in 20 minutes. However, we often talk about development, which means providing enough shelter for everyone, as if it is a bad thing During a general election debate, one of my opponents said that housing—although she admitted that it was necessary—was a "heavy price to pay". I understand that language even if I disagree with it. The reason people so often speak about development in that way is because it is driven and brought forward in the wrong way. It should be obvious that without enough housing the chances of our children and grandchildren finding a home that they can actually afford are rapidly fading from view. In order to make "development" a good word, we have to have good development.
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Housing
John Michael Howell (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my hon. Friend accept that one way of driving forward house building is through neighbourhood plans? They are delivering more houses than originally set out by the district councils that instructed the building of houses.
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Housing
Richard Michael Bacon (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for that and agree with him, although the caveat is that some developers are good at getting around neighbourhood plans, undermining their basis and confidence in them. The Government need to address that The key to getting the right kind of development is more choice and beauty. Now, that may sound airy-fairy, but it is the exact opposite, something which the Prince of Wales noted in his BIMBY or "Beauty-In-My-Back-Yard" campaign. We must have better, smarter, beautiful development that offers a wide range of real choices to consumers and is actively welcomed by existing communities, including the grandparents and parents who so often oppose development with arms folded saying, "We don’t want any houses in our area." They want to see the next generation flourish and do well, and see their own grandchildren adequately housed. We must allow our communities greater voice and choice about what gets built, where it is built, what it looks like and who gets first chance to live there.
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Housing
Robert Alexander Courts (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is making some extremely important points that resonate in my constituency. Does he agree that one way to ensure acceptance and, indeed, the welcoming of development in our communities is to allow for the increased availability of self-build, of which he is a great supporter, and to ensure the diversification of housing providers? Small local companies should be able to benefit from building, which brings jobs and work to the area.
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Other
Julian Murray Lewis (Conservative, Centre-right): Is it my hon. Friend’s position that were a Select Committee to look into a terrible tragedy such as this, there might be a better chance of getting a non-partisan analysis that would lead to more information coming forward on the Floor of the House?
Housing and Social Security — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Housing
Kevin Paul Hollinrake (Conservative, Centre-right): It is a pleasure to speak in this debate and to follow such excellent maiden speeches from Members on both sides of the House. I was here to listen to the tremendous contribution made by my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Mr Clarke)—the first, I am sure, of many in this House I must draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I have been involved in the property market for 25 years and am still involved. I am deeply passionate about it, and I am very pleased by the Government’s clear and ambitious plans to increase house building by 1 million homes between 2015 and 2020, and by 500,000 more by 2022. Those are very ambitious plans I am delighted to see that the shadow Secretary of State is back with us in the Chamber. I tried to intervene on him earlier to question one or two of the facts that Opposition Members keep repeating. They keep saying that since 2010 house building has fallen to its lowest level since the 1920s, but the House of Commons Library shows that some 100,000 houses were built in 2009-10, and 153,000 in 2016. Where do these figures come from? The claim is that affordable housing building is at a 24-year-low—the shadow Secretary of State can intervene on me on this point—but we know that in the past six years we have built 304,900 affordable homes, and in the last six years of the Labour Government, 294,000 affordable homes were built. Members can choose their own opinions, but they cannot choose their own facts.
Kent & Canterbury Hospital — House of Commons, 2017-06-22
Topic: Mixed Topics
Helen Olivia Bicknell Whately (Conservative, Centre-right): It needs to come from the top that, when a bid is put forward that makes the case for significant investment, capital will be forthcoming. That message is currently not coming through and it is deterring people from making that case. It needs to shift.
High Speed 2 — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Mixed Topics
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I take this very seriously. We have been very clear when letting contracts—most recently in the information that we put into the market about rolling stock—that we expect this project to leave a lasting skills footprint not just in the areas of construction but around the United Kingdom. A number of events have been held for potential suppliers to the project around the UK, and we have been very clear with all firms, both UK and international, that want to bid to be part of it that we expect them to leave that footprint. It is an essential part of the project.
Diesel Cars — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce
John Henry Hayes (Conservative, Centre-right): First, to establish the detail of what Volkswagen has and has not done, and what the Government have asked it to do, it might be best if I let the hon. Gentleman and the House have a copy of the letter I have just written to Mr Willis, which sets out how and where Volkswagen has not done what the Government have asked. Secondly, as I said a moment ago, I am determined to use every avenue to pursue the interests of the consumer. The Secretary of State and I will travel to Berlin to meet German counterparts to have discussions because much of the evidence lies there, where the tests were done. Yesterday I met the legal representatives of the consumers who are moving a private prosecution against Volkswagen. I will leave no avenue unexplored and no stone unturned. My steely fist is now a galvanised steely fist.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Immigration
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman will know that in recent years we have significantly increased automation at airports, with e-gates for passports, which provides a good way of balancing the need for effective border controls and the ability to live within our means.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Immigration
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I reiterate what the Prime Minister said recently: our desire post-Brexit is not to have long queues at our borders, but to have sensible arrangements that allow people to travel to do business, and controls on migration to the United Kingdom, which I think people voted for last year.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.
David Nuttall (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that when the UK leaves the EU, we will be free to open dedicated entry lanes at our airports for UK citizens and citizens of our overseas territories, thereby speeding up entry to the UK?
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Immigration
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend knows, it will be for this House and this Government to decide how best to manage our borders post-Brexit. I am sure that he would wish to ensure that, where appropriate, there is the smoothest possible passage through our borders for people we wish to welcome to our country.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I had a meeting with airlines and airports earlier this week and we will continue to consult the industry carefully. As I have said, people who arrive from all around the world already have to show their passports when they arrive in the United Kingdom, so I do not envisage the dramatic change that some are suggesting.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Immigration
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; It is of course likely that queues for inbound passengers will increase in the UK post-Brexit, which will have an effect on the UK’s competitiveness in the pan-European tourism market. What assurances and evidence can the Secretary of State provide that interdepartmental work is being done to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible and our tourism market, which is vital for jobs and the economy, is not adversely affected?
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady makes an assumption that I simply do not accept. It is already the case that people arriving at our borders have to show their passports before entering the country. I do not envisage that changing. We certainly do not envisage a situation in which we create vast additional queues at our borders. We want a smooth, streamlined process so that people who have a right to come here can do so and be welcome.
Exiting the EU: Inbound Passengers — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Immigration
Questions: What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on inbound passengers at airports and ports across the UK.; It is of course likely that queues for inbound passengers will increase in the UK post-Brexit, which will have an effect on the UK’s competitiveness in the pan-European tourism market. What assurances and evidence can the Secretary of State provide that interdepartmental work is being done to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible and our tourism market, which is vital for jobs and the economy, is not adversely affected?
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): We will decide the detailed arrangements as the months go by but, as I have said, it is not our intention to create queues at our borders. It will remain the case that people have to show their passports when they arrive in the United Kingdom. There is a warm welcome for people from all around the world who come to the UK as tourists, as visitors or to do business, and there will continue to be so.
Departmental Plans — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Mixed Topics
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on plans for his Department to be set out in the 2017 spring Budget.
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very proud that the Government, having inherited a fuel duty escalator from the Labour party, have been very good at keeping fuel duty down over the years. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that one current pressure is the rise in the oil price. I am certain that he will be confident that the Chancellor will keep this matter constantly under review, as the Government have demonstrated how important it is to be thoughtful about motorists when it comes to costs.
Departmental Plans — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: What discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on plans for his Department to be set out in the 2017 spring Budget.; As my right hon. Friend knows, Brecon and Radnorshire is the most beautiful part of the country to visit. With the height of the tourism season fast approaching, will he push the lacklustre Welsh Labour Government to spend more money to provide improvements to link roads in mid-Wales, so that even more people can discover what my right hon. Friend already knows?
Christopher Stephen Grayling (Conservative, Centre-right): I have both visited my hon. Friend and holidayed in his constituency, so I know that it is indeed a lovely area and we encourage people from around United Kingdom to visit it on a regular basis. He will be aware of how important we regard the transport links to such areas. On the English side of the border, we will always seek to ensure the right connectivity is in place to support tourism. It is simply a shame that the Welsh Labour Government have proved so ineffective in such a wide variety of ways of working.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: I was hoping to ask some questions about spaceflight, but, sadly, when others are able to focus on the stars, some of us are stuck in the gutter just outside East Croydon waiting for Southern rail to get us in. Can the Secretary of State tell us a little bit about not just how Tim Peake is getting to the space station, which is obviously wonderful, but how some of us can, perhaps, get into London Bridge on time?; The Minister has told us today that he is pursuing the interests of consumers, but can he explain why we still have no timescale for UK drivers of Volkswagen cars to have them fixed and compensation paid, as has happened for US consumers, and will he tell us who in the UK Government will be taking responsibility as they face legal action from the EU Commission for their poor response to the scandal?
John Henry Hayes (Conservative, Centre-right): Having been a little unkind to the Scottish National party earlier, let me be rather more generous now: the hon. Lady is right, and this is a matter for the whole House to work together on. As I made absolutely clear earlier, Volkswagen’s behaviour has been unacceptable. It is vitally important that we move ahead with rigour, but with care, too, to make sure that consumers are properly dealt with by Volkswagen as a result of this unacceptable behaviour.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Other
Questions: I was hoping to ask some questions about spaceflight, but, sadly, when others are able to focus on the stars, some of us are stuck in the gutter just outside East Croydon waiting for Southern rail to get us in. Can the Secretary of State tell us a little bit about not just how Tim Peake is getting to the space station, which is obviously wonderful, but how some of us can, perhaps, get into London Bridge on time?; The Minister has told us today that he is pursuing the interests of consumers, but can he explain why we still have no timescale for UK drivers of Volkswagen cars to have them fixed and compensation paid, as has happened for US consumers, and will he tell us who in the UK Government will be taking responsibility as they face legal action from the EU Commission for their poor response to the scandal?; Today marks another step towards the national folly that is High Speed 2. May I beg the Secretary of State, even at this late stage? Here is a project that is totally out of control in terms of expenditure—zooming past £60 billion—with the chief executive having resigned. Will the Secretary of State change his mind, and invest this money in fast network rail in the north of England and the NHS?
John Henry Hayes (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to suggest that we are looking closely at these matters following the consultation. He will know that I held a meeting with all those concerned recently. We will consider the representations that we have received and make a decision as soon as possible.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce
Questions: I was hoping to ask some questions about spaceflight, but, sadly, when others are able to focus on the stars, some of us are stuck in the gutter just outside East Croydon waiting for Southern rail to get us in. Can the Secretary of State tell us a little bit about not just how Tim Peake is getting to the space station, which is obviously wonderful, but how some of us can, perhaps, get into London Bridge on time?; The Minister has told us today that he is pursuing the interests of consumers, but can he explain why we still have no timescale for UK drivers of Volkswagen cars to have them fixed and compensation paid, as has happened for US consumers, and will he tell us who in the UK Government will be taking responsibility as they face legal action from the EU Commission for their poor response to the scandal?; Today marks another step towards the national folly that is High Speed 2. May I beg the Secretary of State, even at this late stage? Here is a project that is totally out of control in terms of expenditure—zooming past £60 billion—with the chief executive having resigned. Will the Secretary of State change his mind, and invest this money in fast network rail in the north of England and the NHS?; In the light of this morning’s release from the Government, what guarantee can the Minister give us that any savings resulting from reducing pay-outs to innocent victims of motor traffic accidents will be passed on to drivers?
John Henry Hayes (Conservative, Centre-right): It is important that we work with the Germans on this. The tests were done in Germany, and they have much of the evidence that we need to proceed with all that we are doing to force Volkswagen to do the right thing. It is also important that we work with and support the private prosecution that is being brought by consumers. I am doing both, and I will bring the results of all that work back to the House in due course. The hon. Gentleman can be sure that I am absolutely determined to defend the interests of people against this soulless corporate behaviour.