Labour MPs push for hunting Bill

Nearly 200 Labour MPs today served notice on Tony Blair that they want a hunting Bill brought back to Parliament within weeks.

In a clear warning to the Prime Minister not to delay any further on a foxhunting ban, backbenchers signed a Commons motion demanding the Government force through legislation despite House of Lords opposition.

Almost half the entire Parliamentary Labour Party, some 199 MPs, supported the call for the "early reintroduction" of the Bill banning hunting with dogs.

The Early Day Motion published today was signed by 208 MPs from all parties. It recalls the fact that the Commons has now voted on at least nine occasions to outlaw hunting since 1995 and welcomes the Government's commitment to resolve the issue in the current Parliament.

The Hunting Bill was dropped at the last minute from this year's Queen's Speech.