Hunting with Dogs

HC Deb 09 December 1999 vol 340 cc617-8W

Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the full membership and terms of reference of the inquiry into hunting with dogs in England and Wales. [102608]

Mr. Straw

The full membership of the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales will be as followsThe Chairman will be the noble Lord Burns, as already announced. Dr. Victoria Edwards, Professor Sir John Marsh, the noble Lord, Lord Soulsby of Swaftham Prior and Professor Michael Winter have agreed to serve as members.

The Terms of Reference are:

To inquire into: the practical aspects of different types of hunting with dogs and its 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; the consequences for these issues of any ban on hunting with dogs; 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 of, School of Rural Economy and Land Management, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (since 1996). Professor Sir John Marsh CBE—Emeritus 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 of the Centre for Agricultural Strategy (1990–97). Lord Soulsby of Swaftham 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).