Former Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Lord Michael Jopling this week led calls for the Hunting Bill to be amended so fox hunting could be allowed to continue in the Lake District.
The Lords gathered to consider its response to the new-look Bill, after it was amended by MPs in the House of Commons in July when they overwhelmingly voted for a total ban.
As anticipated by hunt supporters, many peers indicated they still favour licensing and greater regulation rather than an outright ban.
But Lord Whitty, the rural affairs minister, warned that the Government would use the Parliament Act to force the bill through to ensure “the will of the House of Commons.” Lord Jopling described the proposed Bill as “intolerant, prejudiced and illiberal”, and suggested that all foot-packs, such as the Coniston Foxhounds, Lunesdale Foxhounds and North Lonsdale Foxhounds, remain unaffected by any legislation.
For the full story See Countryside in Farm and Country.
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