§ 33. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle)How many accidents involving hunting with dogs on Church lands have been notified to them since 1995. [43176]
§ Mr. PrenticeIs there an obligation on the tenants of Church land to report accidents to the Church Commissioners and if not, why not? Is not it about time that the Church of England showed some moral leadership on the issue and banned hunting with dogs on its land? Finally—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has put two supplementary questions. He is only entitled to one.
§ Mr. BellI am grateful to you for your protection, Mr. Speaker. Two in a court of law is quite sufficient; three in the House of Commons is overwhelming.
Any accidents on Church land would be referred to the Church Commissioners. In relation to foxhunting on Church land, existing tenancies may not be altered unilaterally but it may be possible to make provisions in 560 new tenancies. The enforcement of any ban on foxhunting by the commissioners as landlords would be difficult and could undermine our relationship with tenants.
I notice that my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks) is in the Chamber. The Church Commissioners will support and follow any legislation that is passed in both Houses of Parliament.
§ Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what consultation has been held with tenants of Church land as to whether they are in favour of hunting with hounds?
§ Mr. BellThe position of the Church Commissioners is that our long-standing policy on foxhunting is to allow our tenants to follow their consciences in deciding whether to allow hunts on the land that we entrust to their care.
§ Mr. Tony Banks (West Ham)A number of clergy support hunting. Does my hon. Friend think it strange that so-called men of God should take pleasure from seeing one of God's creatures ripped to pieces for their fun?
§ Mr. BellThat was a short question. The Church recognises many differences on theological issues and many differences on foxhunting.