§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they will not provide additional parliamentary time to enable the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill to complete its remaining stages in the House of Commons; and [HL1053]
Whether they have given or plan to give instructions to parliamentary counsel to ensure that any future legislation on criminal justice will be drafted in such a way as to prevent any amendment to outlaw fox hunting and other blood sports from being in order. [HL1055]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Government have always made clear that there was no question of making time available for any Private Member's Bill in this session. It would be wrong to treat the Wild Mammals 257WA (Hunting with Dogs) Bill differently from any other Private Member's Bill. No instructions have been given to parliamentary counsel about future legislation on criminal justice. We would not want Government legislation to meet manifesto commitments to be delayed.