argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Technology
John Alan Redwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend make his comments in his own inimitable way. That is not quite what I was trying to say, or how I was going to say it, but this is a free country and it is wonderful to hear him contribute to the debate I am just trying, in the brief few moments that you have kindly allowed me, Mr Speaker, to extend the conversation from this great Chamber to the BBC and to say to it, "We all want you to be part of this big family conversation in the run-up to the referendum, but you have a unique responsibility, because you are charged with independence, fairness and balance. We trust that you will be especially careful, because many people have very passionate views on both sides of the argument, and that always creates more tensions and difficulties for broadcasters."
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
John Alan Redwood (Conservative, Centre-right): That would be appropriate if they were doing a package on attitudes towards Europe, for example; or it would be appropriate during the referendum campaign to have business voices as well as political voices and others—but not in every interview that is meant to be about a business subject. BBC reporters do not choose to do that every time a social worker is on to talk about a social work case, or some local government worker is on. They do not immediately ask, "What would happen to your job if we left the EU?" There is something quite odd about it. Very often, the business matters that are being discussed have nothing to do with foreign trade. Nor do I understand why the right hon. Gentleman and some others wish to mislead and threaten the British people into thinking that our trade would be at risk, because clearly it would not be at risk. All of us wish to trade with Europe and be friends with Europe, but some of us wish to have a relationship with people in the European Union that allows their euro to evolve into the political union that they want without dragging Britain in and losing our democracy in the process.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
John Alan Redwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course coming out of the EU will have an impact on the conduct of the public sector in Britain, as well as on the private sector. It will change who makes the laws and how the budgets are run, for example. If we did not have to send £11 billion a year to the EU to be spent elsewhere, we would have more scope to have better social work and tax cuts in the United Kingdom. I think that would be extremely good news. Why are public service workers not asked whether they would rather see some of that money spent on their preferred public service than sent to be spent elsewhere in the European Union? That line of questioning would be just as interesting as the one trotted out each time for business people: "Will your business come to an end if the British people dare to vote for democracy?"
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
Philip Andrew Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): Is not the point that the BBC tries to show that every business wants to remain in the European Union, when the fact is that many businesses want to leave the EU? The BBC always seems to be able to find businesses that want to stay in, but never seems to be able to look at the website of Business for Britain, which has more than 1,000 businesses that are quite happy to be outside the European Union.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Macroeconomics
William Nigel Paul Cash (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend accept that, quite often, what is interesting is which questions are not asked, as well as those that are asked and the people who are put on? For example, some of us have for a long time been making the argument, based on House of Commons Library statistics, that we run a deficit with the other 27 member states of about £62 billion, whereas the Germans run a surplus with the other 27 member states of about the same amount or more. Why does that sort of argument never get aired or heard?
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Macroeconomics
John Alan Redwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I am being tempted into byways on the substance of the debate in the forthcoming referendum, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right. We would like to hear more questioning of our deficit and a reminder that we are the customers more than the producers; it is the other way round for the Germans. It is unusual for the customers to be in a weak position and the producers in a strong position.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
Stewart Jackson (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Member for Ilford South (Mike Gapes) failed to enunciate any specific undertakings, responsibilities or rights for voters elsewhere in the European Union who are British citizens. Can the shadow Minister share with the House any specific rights that would be circumscribed or removed as a result of a decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union?
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Technology
William Nigel Paul Cash (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman is clearly referring to my new clause. He ought to take into account the fact that that the Secretary of State, in correspondence with the chairman of the BBC Trust and Ofcom—the right hon. Gentleman may or may not have seen it—has quite a lot to say about the necessity of improving the manner and process of adjudication. I will deal with that in a moment.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Technology
Philip Andrew Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): I am slightly confused by what the right hon. Gentleman is saying. He seems to be saying that there should be no adjudicator of the BBC’s impartiality. There already is one: it is called the BBC Trust. Is he saying that the BBC Trust should be abolished and that nobody should oversee the BBC’s output? He said that there should be no referee, but there is a referee. Is he saying that that should no longer be the case and that there should be a free-for-all at the BBC?
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
John Alan Redwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Has my hon. Friend ever heard a BBC journalist ask someone how they would like to spend all the extra money we would have if we did not make a contribution to the EU, or is it just my bad luck that I have never been around when they asked that?
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
David Nuttall (Conservative, Centre-right): Perhaps when Lord Hall does appear, we might put a point to him about choosing interviewees, which is just as relevant in respect of businesses. We might suggest that when the BBC is seeking an anti-European Union viewpoint, it should not always go to members of UKIP, because there are members and supporters of all parties—not just the Conservative party, but the Labour party, too—whose views it could, and should, be seeking.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Technology
William Nigel Paul Cash (Conservative, Centre-right): I do not blog so I am not in a position to answer the hon. Gentleman’s question. All I can say is that I would deplore any bias whether in the Scottish referendum or the European referendum, or indeed in just normal current affairs To return to my point, there is the facility for this if the BBC steps up to the mark and does in full what the Wilson committee report recommended and, more than that, what is in line with what the Secretary of State is now proposing. This is a hugely important question given that according to the BBC 53% of the British people depend on it for the news they trust.
European Union Referendum Bill — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: International Affairs
Steven John Baker (Conservative, Centre-right): A great many fascinating and important points have been made about impartiality of the media and spending by political parties. I will speak briefly about amendment 22 and my amendment (a) to amendment 2, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir William Cash), which deals with the EU institutions and their spending It has been put to me that if the EU institutions spent heavily in the referendum campaign, it would greatly assist the campaign to leave, particularly if some of the Commissioners came over on speaking tours and explained their plans for a federal Europe. Notwithstanding that, it is a matter of concern that the EU institutions might end up being the only unregulated parties in the course of the campaign. I am therefore keen to hear the Minister’s thoughts on spending by the EU institutions, but I know we all want to hear him cover the wide range of points made during the debate, so I shall sit down.
Summer-born Children (Education Guidelines) — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Education
Stephen William Hammond (Conservative, Centre-right): I am unsure that I necessarily followed that exactly, but the hon. Gentleman, as ever, makes a clear point. I am sure that parents in Northern Ireland will be listening carefully Going back to my performance on "You and Yours" today, several people have emailed me since and I was particularly struck by a lady who contacted me to say that she had triplets born prematurely at 25 weeks. They should have been born on 1 November, but she was told by her local authority that if she delays their start to school, they will have to go into year 1 rather than reception. That is despite the fact that her children have been diagnosed by paediatricians as having additional needs and developmental delay. Another lady got in touch to tell me about her grandaughter who was born in August 2005 in Dublin. In Ireland, as the Minister will know, parents can choose when a child with an August birthday starts school, so the parents decided to delay her entry into reception. A few years later, it was necessary for the family to move to the UK, where the local authority has insisted that the child starts school with her chronological age group in year 5, thereby skipping year 4. That has caused huge distress and anxiety for the child. Practice differs across the country, but the guidelines are being followed inconsistently and it has become far too much of a lottery.
Summer-born Children (Education Guidelines) — House of Commons, 2015-09-07
Topic: Education
Stephen Charles Brine (Conservative, Centre-right): I spoke to my hon. Friend before the debate to say that I would intervene, and I thank him for giving way. My youngest son, William, started school today. He was born in November and my wife and I just know that he is ready to start school. Does my hon. Friend agree that the reason for such a response to his stellar performance on Radio 4 this lunchtime is that this is ultimately about parental choice? Parents know what is best for their children and want greater control over when their children enter the education system.
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): How funding should be allocated to the police in future is a complex and important matter, and we conducted a detailed analytical review before launching a public consultation on reform of the current funding arrangements. We have considered carefully the responses received from that consultation, and my right hon. Friend the Policing Minister has written to all police and crime commissioners and chief constables with refinements to the proposed model in the light of the feedback received.
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Damian Howard Green (Conservative, Centre-right): Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important for police forces to spend their money effectively, and that the police innovation fund helps them to do that? Does she share my delight that Kent police have decided to issue every front-line officer with a body-worn camera that increases the effectiveness of police patrolling, as well as helping to keep officers safe?
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend makes a good point, and I commend him for the work on the innovation fund that he did when he was Policing Minister. This is an important development and he is right to welcome and commend Kent police for what they are doing with body-worn video cameras. That is an important step forward. We are also looking at the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to ensure that every part of the system can support the use of evidence from body-worn video cameras. I am sure the whole House recognises that that important step forward is of benefit to the police but also to victims.
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I am interested in the right hon. Gentleman’s question. In his capacity as Chair of the Home Affairs Committee he has previously questioned the funding formula for policing, and indicated that an alternative formula might be a better way forward. That is what we are doing; we are trying to find a formula that will work across police forces, and that is why we held and responded to a public consultation. As I said earlier, my right hon. Friend the Policing Minister has written to police and crime commissioners and chief constables with a revision of that formula, and he will discuss the matter with them.
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Philip Thomas Hollobone (Conservative, Centre-right): Northamptonshire police have been particularly innovative in finding joint operational and cost-saving initiatives with the local fire service, but it faces a particular challenge involving violent crime. How might those two important factors be factored into the new police funding formula?
Police Funding Formula — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Questions: What modelling has been conducted by her Department on the potential effect on individual police forces of proposed changes to the police funding formula.
Theresa Mary May (Conservative, Centre-right): I welcome my hon. Friend’s comments on Northamptonshire police, who have indeed been very innovative. They have been at the forefront of work to join together the police force and the fire authority to ensure savings and a better service for the people of the county of Northamptonshire. We are trying to adopt a funding formula that is simpler than the previous one, that is fair across the board and that people can look at and understand; a funding formula where people can appreciate why the elements are in there. That cannot be said of the current funding formula.
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): Elected police and crime commissioners provide accountable and visible leadership, which I hear the whole House now supports. PCCs are an excellent body taking the lead role, as we have just heard, in driving collaboration between forces and other emergency services to deliver more effective services and better value for money.
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Daniel Robert Kawczynski (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. In West Mercia, the main advantages of having commissioners are accountability and transparency, which local people very much appreciate. We have just selected our new Conservative candidate, Mr Campion, who, if elected, will do an excellent job. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that he will continue to look at ways to devolve power and responsibility to police and crime commissioners, as this experiment is working?
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend raises a very important point and I wish Mr Campion well in his bid to represent his community as a PCC. We will soon be introducing legislation that will allow more collaboration and more help to be brought to the police, fire and ambulance services—that is the sort of thing we would expect.
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Huw William Merriman (Conservative, Centre-right): Rother District Council is one of only 17 remaining local authorities that have not decriminalised on-street parking offences, meaning that the Sussex police and crime commissioner is required to provide police resources to ticket cars that stay longer than two hours in a bay. Will the Minister consider freeing up police resources by requiring those remaining local authorities that enforce in their own car parks to additionally enforce on-street parking?
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Transportation
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): Although this is a matter for the local government department, I want as much capability as possible on the streets in every constituency. I do not think issuing parking tickets is a role for a police officer.
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): Can I first say to the hon. Lady that my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the police officer lost on Merseyside? I had the honour and privilege of going to Merseyside to pay my own respects, as well as meeting with officers. I fully understand different PCCs trying to negotiate a position, but scaremongering is not the best way forward. I will come back with further ideas—that is what the consultation is all about, and that is what I promised I would do when I started it.
Police and Crime Commissioners — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Government Operations
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): I have a great deal of respect for the right hon. Gentleman and his work in his role as a Minister, but we did that during the west midlands by-election and it made absolutely no difference to the turnout. What will make a difference to the turnout, without any shadow of a doubt, is having that coincide with other elections, which is what is going to happen this time. I am really pleased that the Labour Opposition now realise the work that PCCs do and are now supporting them, rather than trying to abolish them.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Visa Applications — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: International Affairs
James Peter Brokenshire (Conservative, Centre-right): I am always pleased to meet hon. Members to discuss the work of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, and I fully recognise the close bonds and ties that have existed for many years. Our focus is on delivering a high-quality service, and I am pleased to note that about 86% of applications from Malawi are successful. We are considering closely how we can improve the service further, however, and I am certainly happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss the issues on his and the partnership’s mind.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): Naturally, the Government do not issue specific guidelines for police forces on high-profile policing. The College of Policing sets the standards for professional practice to support police forces and other organisations so that the public are protected.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Nigel Martin Evans (Conservative, Centre-right): I have been going to Conservative party conferences for more than 30 years. [Hon. Members: "No!] They’re only jealous. The policing at these conferences has always been high profile, but this was the first one where I have witnessed those working in hotels and the conference centre, as well as delegates, having to run a gauntlet of demonstrators shouting vile abuse at people—tantamount to hate crimes—spitting and throwing eggs. The police response was totally inadequate. What conversations will the Minister have with the police chief for Manchester, and what action can be taken in future to ensure that those attending conferences can do so safely?
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): I think we would all agree that people attending any party political conference or people working there should not need to go through the type of abuse that took place there. This is a matter for the Metropolitan—I mean the Greater Manchester police; it is usually a matter for the Metropolitan police— and, to be fair, I have already had conversations about this issue. A review is going to take place, and I believe that the Conservative party will be having consultations, too.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): Of course I will work closely with the police and crime commissioner and chief constables in the 43 authorities for which I have responsibility. As for the conference itself, the vast majority of police officers did a fantastic job. It was often decisions made above them that told them what they had to do. I am naturally concerned if there has been an increase, which is against the national trend: crime has continued to fall under this Government.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
James Jacob Gilchrist Berry (Conservative, Centre-right): If the Conservative party conference is to return to Blackpool one day, it is absolutely key to get the Lancashire police funding formula right. Increasing concern has been expressed this weekend among Lancashire MPs of all parties, so I would be grateful if the Minister would meet me and other Lancashire Members to discuss the police funding settlement.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): I thought it was you, Mr Speaker, in your days on the Back Benches, who could manage to get such a question in. It was very cleverly done by my hon. Friend, and I will naturally meet any delegation from any party to talk about police funding.
High-Profile Policing — House of Commons, 2015-10-12
Topic: Law and Crime
Michael Penning (Conservative, Centre-right): With all due respect to the hon. Gentleman, this is a devolved matter, and as the former Minister of State with responsibility for Northern Ireland, I know just how devolved it really is, which is right and proper. The National Crime Agency currently operates in Northern Ireland, but this is a devolved matter, so it is something the hon. Gentleman needs to take up with David Ford.