Hunting battle ‘set to resume’

THE BATTLE between politicians to ban hunting is set to resume during the next parliamentary session, according to The Times.

The House of Lords is gearing up for a “fierce autumn battle” over foxhunting, reports the newspaper.

The State Opening of Parliament is likely to be in the third week in November, beginning a session that may be curtailed next spring for a general election in May 2005.

But the Tories have warned that Labour‘s pre-election programme could be disrupted by its intention to force through a hunting ban.

Lord Strathclyde, Tory leader in the Lords, told the paper that the government would “reap the consequences” if it went ahead with the foxhunting ban.

Peers would not just stand aside and allow the Bill to sit in the Lords for 30 days before allowing it to be forced through, he said.

“This Bill received no proper scrutiny when it came before us in the last session and we were deemed to have blocked it.

“I am convinced that the Lords will want to ensure that it is properly looked at.”

Lord Strathclyde said that would mean lengthy discussions in the House which could affect the government‘s programme.

“If they are going to add the foxhunting Bill to all of that it becomes difficult to see how they can complete the programme by the first week in December.”

Labour MPs who want to ban hunting believe that they are on the verge of achieving their aim, says The Times.

But it adds: “Their hopes have been frustrated before and some are nervous about the government‘s refusal to talk about its intentions.

“They say that the leadership‘s potential difficulties at next month‘s party conference will be eased if the hunting Bill has been brought back by then.”