HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc631-2
Mr. Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye)

It is perhaps an opportune moment, on the last day before the summer recess, to present this petition, which calls for the abolition of hunting with dogs, an issue which will not go away simply because the Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster), my namesake, has not been successful this Session. The petition states: The Petition of the Residents of Hastings and District Declares That the hunting of wild mammals with dogs is a cruel and unnecessary activity which has no place in modem Britain And having supported the Wild Mammals (Hunting With Dogs) Bill which sought to outlaw the practice but which Bill had insufficient time to pass through Parliament albeit attracting the free support of the overwhelming majority of Members in the House. The Petitioners hereby request that the House of Commons in recognising the widespread public support for the measure shall call upon the Government to allocate sufficient time in the next session of Parliament for such measures to pass through the House. Nearly 10,000 residents in or around my constituency have signed the petition, and it has my full support.

To lie upon the Table.