MPs rush to ban hunting

A bill to ban foxhunting could be forced through in a single day, it emerged today.

Ministers have laid plans to rush the legislation through the Commons. Backbenchers are becoming increasingly impatient at the failure to make progress on outlawing the sport.

The Government plans to rush through new laws when MPs return from their summer break in September. Ministers would use Labour's huge majority to force through a motion severely limiting the time available to debate the Bill.

Attempts to outlaw foxhunting foundered last year after the move was rejected by the House of Lords. The Government has indicated that this time it is prepared to use the Parliament Act to overrule the Lords.