§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the New Forest buckhounds are allowed to chase fallow does, many of which are heavy in fawn, during the close season; how many instances of does being chased by hounds in these circumstances have been reported to the Forestry Commission, and what action has been taken as a result.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The buckhounds are not allowed to hunt does and no close-season incidents have been reported to the Forestry Commission. In winter, when the deer congregate near places of habitation and cause damage to gardens, the Commission has on occasions requested the buckhounds to move the deer on; this does not constitute a permission to hunt.