§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation to ban fox hunting;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to ban hare coursing;
(3) if he will introduce legislation to ban the hunting with hounds of otters, stags and other such animals.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Government intend at a suitable opportunity to introduce legislation to make hare coursing illegal. The otter was added earlier this year to schedule 1 to the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975 which, subject to certain exceptions, would make it illegal to kill or injure any otter without reasonable excuse. We have no plans at present to legislate on other field sports.