Lords debate Hunting Bill

Tuesday, 16 September 2003 12:00 AM

Peers are due to debate the Hunting Bill, which gets its second reading in the Lords today. The bill recommends a ban on all forms of hunting with dogs, and has been approved by MPs.

But a ban is expected to meet opposition from the Lords, and could fail to make it on to the statute book because of a shortage of parliamentary time.

Commentators have suggested that if that were to happen, an identical bill would be introduced in the next session and the Government could use the Parliament Act to force the legislation through.
But an ICM poll commissioned by the Countryside Alliance has suggested that such a measure would be unjustified.

Over 1,000 people were asked how the Government should react if the Lords amended the Hunting Bill. Only 27% of those questioned believed that the House of Lords should be "disregarded".

Simon Hart, director of the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Hunting, said: "The message of this poll could not be clearer. The Government must not facilitate the use of the Parliament Act on the Hunting Bill."

'The Commons has voted to ban hunting on the basis of prejudice and discrimination. We remain confident that the Lords will amend the Bill to reflect principle and evidence, acting in the best interests of animal welfare and rural communities. Their voices should not be ignored."

But the League against Cruel Sports has dismissed the poll, claiming that the question posed was too confusing.

Spokesperson Mike Hobday commented: 'Every single opinion poll which has asked a straightforward yes/no question - 'do you think foxhunting should be allowed?' - has come up with a very clear answer that people think it ought to be made to stop."

Commentators have suggested that the most likely outcome - and one that would satisfy pro-hunt groups - would be for the Lords to propose an amendment that would allow fox hunting under licence - as was originally suggested when the bill was created.

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