Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 July 1999. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 July 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his estimate of the number of hounds used for hunting; 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; 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; what assessment he has made of the effects on equine businesses of a ban on hunting; what assessment he has made of the impact of a ban on hunting on the British horse racing industry; what assessment he has made of the effects on the rural economy of a ban on hunting; if legislation to criminalise hunting will include provision to allow the use of hounds or terriers to follow up wild mammals injured by firearms; if he plans to establish a close season for fox control, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; what measures he intends to take to deal with the problem of mange in foxes, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; what measures he intends to take to encourage landowners to maintain the conservation activities currently undertaken by local hunts; 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 336 c282W; 93525;93485;93474;93490;93476;93491;93479;93482;93477;93467;93486
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Dogs Horses Economic situation Hunting Foxes Pest control Rural areas Freedom of association