§ Mr. CawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if any of those appointed to the Burns Inquiry secretariat have been(a) members and (b) supporters of (i) fox, deer, hare or mink hunts and (ii) other pro-field sports organisations, or have participated in hare coursing events; [123516]
(2) if he sought to determine if those appointed to the Burns Inquiry secretariat had views on hunting with dogs prior to their being selected. [123515]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Committee of Inquiry into Hunting has been set up as a Committee which is independent of Government.
The appointment of the Inquiry team's Secretariat, and other issues relating to the Secretariat, are matters for the Chairman of the Inquiry team, Lord Burns.
§ Mr. CawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits have been undertaken by each member of the Burns Inquiry team in the course of the inquiry to events and functions organised by(a) anti-hunting groups and (b) pro-hunting groups. [123514]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI understand from the Secretariat to the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs that the information is as follows:
Members of the Committee of Inquiry attended 11 events organised by, at the suggestion of, or in conjunction with, anti-hunting organisations. Attendance was as follows: Lord Burns 10; Dr. Victoria Edwards seven; Professor Sir John Marsh six; Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior one; Professor Michael Winter four.
Members of the Committee attended 23 events organised by, at the suggestion of or in conjunction with, pro-hunting organisations. Attendance was as follows: Lord Burns 16; Dr. Victoria Edwards 12; Professor Sir John Marsh 11; Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior seven; Professor Michael Winter 12.