HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc49-50W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many meetings(a) Home Office lawyers, (b) Home Office civil servants and (c) Home Office Ministers, have had with the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) to discuss the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill; [30505]

(2) if he intends to put forward new clauses to replace the defective clauses of the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill before the Bill leaves Standing Committee; [30503]

(3) when the Government decided that there were defective clauses in the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill which needed redrafting. [30504]

Mr. George Howarth

Home Office lawyers advised that there were defects in the Bill on 20 January 1998 and leave was given to instruct Parliamentary Counsel to improve the technical competence of this Private Member's Bill. A responsible Government have a duty to ensure that a defective Bill does not pass into law.

The first amendments, drafted by Parliamentary Counsel, were laid on 9 February by the sponsor of the Bill. Further amendments have been laid and prepared during Committee Stage.

The Government's position in relation to the Bill remains neutral. It neither supports nor opposes the Bill. As a member of the Standing Committee, therefore, I looked to the Committee to make improvements to the Private Member's Bill. When defects were not addressed, the Government sought to provide drafting expertise.

Following informal contacts, I met formally with my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) on 9 and 16 February to discuss the technical deficiencies in his Bill. Civil servants, including Home Office lawyers, were present at both meetings.

My hon. Friend the Member for Worcester also met with me and my noble Friend the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 19 November 1997. Civil servants were present on this occasion too. My hon. Friend the Member for Worcester was informed at that meeting that the Government would not lay amendments to his Bill during Committee Stage and I explained this to the Committee on 17 December.