Hunting with Dogs Inquiry (Hansard, 9 December 1999)

The full membership of the committee of inquiry into hunting with dogs in England and Wales will be as follows.

The chairman will be the noble Lord, Lord Burns, as already announced. Dr Victoria Edwards, Professor Sir John Marsh, the noble Lord, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, and Professor Michael Winter have agreed to serve as members.

The terms of reference are to inquire into:

(i) the practical aspects of different types of hunting with dogs and their impact on the rural economy, agriculture and pest control, the social and cultural life of the countryside, the management and conservation of wildlife and animal welfare in particular areas of England and Wales;
(ii) the consequences for these issues of any ban on hunting with dogs; and
(iii) how any ban might be implemented;

and to report the findings to the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Biographical details of members are:

Lord Burns—formerly Permanent Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury (1991–98), and Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service (1980–91).

Dr Victoria Edwards FRICS FAAV—principal lecturer in land management and departmental research director, University of Portsmouth (since 1989); non-executive board member Countryside Agency (since 1998) and Forestry Commission (1999); and member Advisory Councils, School of Rural Economy and Land Management, Royal Agricultural College Cirencester (since 1996).

Professor SirJohn Marsh CBE—Erneritus Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Reading Department of Agricultural and Food Economics (since 1997); member of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister's Independent Advisory Group (since 1997); chairman Agricultural Wages Board (1991–99) and director Centre for Agricultural Strategy (1990–97).

Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior MA (Cantab) PhD DSc DVM DVSM FAMS FRCVS—Emeritus Professor of Animal Pathology, University of Cambridge; president Royal Society of Medicine; chairman Veterinary Advisory Committee, Horserace Betting Levy Board (1985–97); chairman Animal Research Grants Board (1986–89); and president Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (1984–85).

Professor Michael Winter—Professor of Rural Economy and Society, Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (since 1993); member Policy Committee, Council for Protection of Rural England (since 1998); member two Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Regional Agri-Environmental Forums (since 1996) and director Centre for Rural Studies, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (1987–93).