§ 15. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the abolition of blood sports.
§ Miss BaconThe Government will give careful consideration, when it is published, to the Bill to abolish hare coursing which my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heller) has secured leave to introduce. On the wider question, I cannot at present add to my reply of 17th November.—[Vol. 736, c. 622–3.]
§ Mr. PriceMay I congratulate my right hon. Friend on her Answer relating to hare coursing? The loss of that particular blood sport will be welcomed by the overwhelming majority of people. Does she not, however, agree that the Government should get down to the whole question of the abolition of blood sports in their own time and not in private Members' time?
§ Miss BaconConsultations have been going on about this matter, but, as I explained in answer to a Question earlier, the Government have no plans to give any Parliamentary time for this subject in the present Session.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWould the right hon. Lady watch her step in this matter; otherwise what will happen throughout the country to the sporting dogs, quite apart from those at Westminster?
§ Miss BaconI assure the hon. and learned Member that I always watch my step.