§ 29. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to abolish fox-hunting.
§ 30. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to abolish blood sports.
§ Miss BaconMy right hon. Friend has no proposals for legislation on this subject.
§ Mr. PriceIs my right hon. Friend aware that that Answer will give little satisfaction to the vast majority of people in this country, who want an end to these 623 sadistic rituals? Does she not agree that urgent action is needed, not in the form of a Private Member's Bill, but by the Government, to stop the unnecessary and unjustified slaughter of animals whose offence is a limited one indeed?
§ Miss BaconI agree with some of the remarks my hon. Friend has made. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for legislation at present, although he is considering this matter in consultation with other members of the Government.
§ Sir R. CaryIn considering the first question, would the right hon. Lady first consult foxes? I could not imagine anything more disagreeable than the mass reintroduction to the countryside of traps for trapping foxes. To witness any fox biting its way through one of its limbs to free itself from a trap is a most unhappy spectacle.
§ Miss BaconThe only foxes which would have any views on this would be those which are dead, and I cannot see any sense in consulting dead foxes.
§ Mr. Victor YatesWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is increasing resentment about this and a widespread feeling that the hunting of animals for amusement is not in accordance with a humane society? Will she therefore ask her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to ensure that there is legislation on this matter at an early date?
§ Miss BaconI will certainly take note of the very strong views which have been expressed, but the Questions asked whether we have any legislation in mind at present. The Answer is "No".