Supporters of hunting ban claim support of key MPs
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Your support makes all the difference.A majority of MPs on the committee appointed to consider the Hunting Bill have supported a complete fox-hunting ban in the past, a study of their parliamentary records has shown.
The appointment of the anti-hunting MPs has been accompanied by behind-the-scenes moves by Government to woo leading opponents of bloodsports on the back benches.
Government sources indicate a new willingness to meet concerns raised by the anti-hunting lobby, which has been alienated by talk of the Government backing away from tough regulation of blood sports.
Ministers are said to be enthusiastic about a compromise suggested by Michael Foster, the leading anti-hunt campaigner and Labour MP for Worcester. He wants a complete ban on hare coursing, a ban on cubbing (the practice of setting hounds on young foxes at the start of the season) and more categorical assurances on bans on hunting in lowland areas.
The appointment of the "anti-hunting MPs" has delighted animal welfare activists who say it increases the chances of the Bill being changed to a complete ban.
The committee includes Tony Banks, the former Labour sports minister, and Michael Foster, MP for Hastings and Rye, who tried unsuccessfully to push through a private members Bill outlawing fox hunting in 1998.
The 32 committee members comprise 20 Labour, eight Tory, three Liberal Democrat and one Plaid Cymru MP. Eighteen have consistently supported a complete ban on hunting with dogs, with the other 14 either pro-hunt or likely to support licensed hunting.
The League Against Cruel Sports, which has analysed the voting records of members of the committee and their public comments, is optimistic that the Bill will be amended.
"There is little doubt that a majority of MPs want a ban on hunting," a spokesman said.
The current Bill falls short of banning fox hunting, although it would outlaw hare coursing and deer hunting with dogs. It provides for a licensing system for those who can prove that hunting is the least cruel alternative to control a native fox population, although hunting for recreational purposes will be banned.
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