MP votes to ban fox hunting. listen to it the rest of the world!

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Monday, 18 March, 2002, 23:47 GMT

MPs back hunting ban

 

Regulation may have support among the hunt lobby

 

MPs have overwhelmingly backed a ban on hunting with dogs.

 

Members were allowed a free vote on three different options - a ban, a

compromise deal or to leave the law as it stands.

 

Possible timetable

18 March: MPs given " indicative " votes

Before Easter: ministers' proposals

November: Bill proposed in Queen's Speech

Autumn 2003: Ban could be in place

But in a Labour-dominated Commons the outcome never seemed in doubt.

 

In the end MPs voted by 386 to 175 for a ban - a majority of 211.

 

The previous two votes saw the status quo rejected by 401 votes to 154 and

then the compromise deal by 371 to 169.

 

Prime Minister Tony Blair was among those who supported a ban, although it

was indicated that the government overall preferred a compromise option -

the so called middle way.

 

That involves a system of tighter controls to try and get round the impasse

caused in the past by MPs voting for a ban and Lords voting against.

 

Before Monday evening's debate in Parliament, both pro and anti-hunting

groups converged on Westminster to lobby MPs.

 

Leading anti-hunt campaigner, Labour MP Tony Banks, said that most foxes

were killed on the roads and rejected the notion that hunting was an

effective method of pest control.

 

" We would probably be better off issuing the hunts with four wheel drive

vehicles, " he said.

 

He insisted that when it came to hunting there could be no compromise.

 

" There is no middle way. You can't compromise on cruelty. "

 

'Willing to compromise'

 

But Labour MP Kate Hoey insisted that foxes were vermin and controlling them

with hounds was " the most natural way " to kill them.

 

" They may be slightly furrier and slightly more sexy than rats but they are

vermin. "

 

Former Conservative home office minister Ann Widdecombe rejected suggestions

that those who opposed hunting were " anti-toff " .

 

" Anti toff? Moi? I am one of the few people in this chamber who upheld the

rights of hereditary peers to carry on in the House of Lords.

 

" My parents hunted and I like my parents very much indeed. "

 

She went on to reject the argument that banning hunting would cost jobs

asking whether society would hesitate to ban crime or ill-health because of

what might happen to the jobs of police or nurses.

 

While former Tory leader William Hague contrasted the desire to ban the

pursuit of hunting with bullying.

 

" It is because it can be picked upon and that is the hallmark of the bully

throughout the ages, " he said.

 

The Upper House will have their chance to vote on the three options on

Tuesday but unless a compromise is reached between the Commons and the

Lords, there will be a time-consuming battle between the two houses of

parliament.

 

 

Alun Michael will draw up plans after the vote

 

This could be damaging to the government's legislative programme and has

persuaded some opponents of hunting, including Home Secretary David

Blunkett, that the " middle way " was the best option.

 

The alternative is that the government could use the Parliament Act to force

the bill through even if the House of Lords votes against it.

 

The votes this week are not binding and are intended to provide ministers

with evidence to help them draft the legislative bill before Easter.

 

Protest

 

MPs voted for a ban when a hunting bill went before Parliament last year,

but the legislation was dropped when the general election was called.

 

Anti-hunt campaigners now want exactly the same bill to be reintroduced.

 

The Scottish Parliament voted to ban hunting with hounds last month and it

will probably become law later this year.

 

Hunting with hounds includes fox hunting, hare coursing and fox baiting.

 

 

Alun Michael MP, Rural Affairs Minister

" I have always voted for a ban "

 

Labour MP Tony Banks

" I'd only be really happy when the head of state signs the act "

 

FORUMHunting with dogs

Ask the experts Tuesday 1600

 

 

The former Tory MP Sir Marcus Fox also died over the weekend, Conservative

Central Office has announced. Sir Marcus, who was 74, was MP for Shipley,

Yorkshire, between 1970 and 1997.

 

Must be a sign.

 

john