Hunt: facing ban

MPs have voted to ban hunting with hounds although the bill is sure to be rejected again by the Lords.

The prime minister failed to attend either of the crunch Commons votes on Wednesday, although the overall ban was carried by a majority of 190.

The House of Lords will vote against the ban - a move which the government intends to counter by using the Parliament Acts to force through the legislation.

Hunters and those who work in associated sectors will have until mid-2006 to find an alternative pursuit.

Animal welfare charities have confirmed they will seek to find a new home for the thousands of hounds whose lives are threatened by a ban on hunting.

Ministers expect a legal challenge to the legislation and a period of civil disobedience appears inevitable.

By delaying the introduction of a ban until after the general election the government hoped scenes of angry clashes between hunters and the police would be delayed until after the general election.

However pro-hunt groups appear set to fight the measure all the way and will make the ban a central issue of the general election campaign.

Tactics criticised

In the Commons on Wednesday a string of Conservative MPs took issue with the government's tactics.

"The circumstances which we face do not warrant the use of our most draconian procedures," said shadow Commons leader Oliver Letwin.

"This procedural motion involves a massive use of executive power in order to crush an aspect of freedom in rural communities."

Veteran Tory backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack warned that the "vast weaponry of this house should only be used very sparingly".

"Do not believe that this is an issue of such importance that it justifies parliament using its ultimate weapon," he told MPs.

Fellow Conservative MP John Greenway said using a programme motion was a "constitutional outrage".

And he warned that "shooting and fishing will be next".

But rural affairs minister Alun Michael said the arguments on fox hunting were widely known and called for closure on the issue.

"Everything that could be said on this issue has been said on many, many occasions," he told MPs.

"It is the same Bill that came before the House last year and was debated extensively at that time."