HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc281-2W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussion he(a) has had (b) intends to have with animal welfare groups about the disposal of hounds used for hunting, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93488]

(2) what discussions he (a) has had and (b) intends to have with associations representing those whose livelihoods depend on hunting; [93473]

(3) if he will publish a list of the petitions submitted to his Department in each of the last two years; [93468]

(4) what representations he has received since May 1997 about hunting. [93470]

Mr. George Howarth

Representations have been received from hon. Members, members of the public and various organisations which support or oppose hunting. These include two Parliamentary petitions between May and December 1997, two in 1998 and 30 in 1999.

No meetings have taken place between Home Office Ministers and either representative associations or animal welfare groups concerning the disposal of hounds. There are currently no plans for such meetings to be staged, nor have there been any such approaches for meetings.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the number of hounds used for hunting; [93525]

(2) what estimate he has made of the number of horses used for hunting in this country; and what is his assessment of the impact on these animals of a ban on hunting; [93485]

(3) what assessment he has made of the extent to which a ban on hunting will comply with the right of peaceful assembly provided for by the European Convention on Human Rights; [93474]

(4) what assessment he has made of the effects on equine businesses of a ban on hunting; [93490]

(5) what assessment he has made of the impact of a ban on hunting on the British horse racing industry; [93476]

(6) what assessment he has made of the effects on the rural economy of a ban on hunting; [93491]

(7) if legislation to criminalise hunting will include provision to allow the use of hounds or terriers to follow up wild mammals injured by firearms; [93479]

(8) if he plans to establish a close season for fox control, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93482]

(9) what measures he intends to take to deal with the problem of mange in foxes, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93477]

(10) what measures he intends to take to encourage landowners to maintain the conservation activities currently undertaken by local hunts; [93467]

(11) what measures he will take to ensure that there is sufficient support available to farmers for the control of pest populations following the introduction of a ban on hunting. [93486]

Mr. George Howarth

We are actively considering ways of taking forward the issue of hunting and assessing the effects of any ban. The right of peaceful assembly will be taken into account, along with any exceptions and wider implications.

Various estimates of the number of horses and hounds used for hunting have been provided by organisations which support or oppose hunting.