HC Deb 28 November 1997 vol 301 cc1197-9

9.34am

Mr. Hugh Bayley (City of York)

I have had more than 900 letters from my constituents opposed to hunting, only 12 in favour of it, and a petition signed by my constituent Angela Charman and almost 5,000 other constituents. The petition states: The Petition of Residents of York Declares that the hunting of wild animals with dogs is a cruel and unnecessary sport which has no place in modern Britain The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons supports Michael Foster's Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill at its Second Reading on Friday 28th November 1997.

To lie upon the Table.

9.35am

Caroline Flint (Don Valley)

I too have received many representations from my constituents about today's debate and their full support for the Bill's Second Reading. The petition is from my constituent, Mrs. J. Harthorn, of 114 King George road, Rossington, and states: To the House of Commons, the petition of visitors to the South Yorkshire RSPCA animal centre in the Don Valley constituency declares that the hunting of wild mammals with dogs is a cruel and unnecessary sport which has no place in a modern Britain. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons give a Second Reading to the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill, which seeks to outlaw the hunting of wild mammals with dogs.

To lie upon the Table.

9.36 am
Mr. John McAllion (Dundee, East)

I present a petition from Scotland, from the citizens of Dundee, which also states: The hunting of wild mammals with dogs is a cruel and unnecessary sport which has no place in modern Britain and requests that the House of Commons give a Second Reading to the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill. From Scotland, and from the whole United Kingdom, I wish my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) all the very best for today.

To lie upon the Table.

9.31 am
Mrs. Jackie Ballard (Taunton)

I too present a petition, signed by Claire Gordon of 189 Greenway road, Taunton, and by other citizens of the United Kingdom. The petition states: Stags, Hinds, (frequently when pregnant) and Calves are hunted and inhumanely killed during Staghunts. On numerous occasions hounds reach the hunted animals and savage them before the huntsmen arrive… WHEREFORE your petitioners pray that your Honourable House will take all such Measures as lie within their power: 1. To protect all Deer herds from hunting by hounds through appropriate legislation.

To lie upon the Table.