No hunt ban imminent Blair

13 April 2000



No hunt ban imminent — Blair

By FWi staff

THERE are no immediate plans to introduce a ban on fox-hunting, says Tony Blair.

Answering a parliamentary question yesterday (12 April), the prime minister said the government will not state its position until the government sees the outcome of the Burns inquiry into the implications of a ban.

Then, he promised MPs, they will be able to vote on the report.

“Lord Burns will be publish his report in due course; the government will then state its position, and the House will have the opportunity of voting,” Mr Blair said.

“But let us be quite clear. The views of this House are already well-known – and so are mine.”

The Independent believes anti-hunt campaigners will take this response as a sign that legislation on hunting will now be delayed until after the general election.

• No Middle Way for hunt law? FWi, 23 February, 2000
• Hunt ban probe bogged down, FWi, 24 January, 2000
• The Independent, 13/04/00, page 8