§ 2.3 p.m.
§ Lord MancroftMy Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time. Perhaps I may take a moment to thank noble Lords who have taken part in the debate. In particular perhaps I may remind the House of the points raised by the noble Lord, Lord Davies, and my noble friend Lord Shrewsbury, about the farmers' problems relating to fox control and about the licence.
I heard what my noble friend on the Front Bench said on the matter. I was not enormously encouraged by it. I believe that the Ministry of Agriculture will have to go much further to reassure the noble Lord, Lord Davies, and my noble friend Lord Shrewsbury. It is not good enough simply to say that general licences will not be given. The House will need to know what licences will be given. The proposers of the Bill will equally need to know to whom licences will not be given. That is very important.
I should also like to thank the noble Baroness, Lady Nicol, for her kind words and the support of her noble friends for the Bill.
I remind your Lordships that, although my Bill may be a little less controversial than that of the noble Lord, Lord Houghton of Sowerby, it is a desirable measure. The Bill of the noble Lord, Lord Houghton, should follow mine on the statute book. I hope that we shall be able to make the necessary changes to allow that to occur.
§ I thank noble Lords for their support for my Bill. I beg to move.
885§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(Lord Mancroft.)
886§ On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
§ House adjourned at five minutes past two o'clock.