Clause 8 - Tests for registration:
Hunting Bill
3:00 pm
Mr Alun Michael (Minister of State (Rural Affairs), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour/Co-operative)
May I say to the right hon. Gentleman that I always seek to be helpful to everybody? He must have noticed that over the last nine months, the process that has brought us to the Bill has been open and transparent and has involved all sides in the discussion. I listen to all sorts of people. The hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire has referred to the issue of ground-nesting birds and predation. Today I met the British Association for Shooting and Conservation to deal with issues of that kind and to hear its concerns. I am happy to listen to Opposition Members' concerns, as I was when the hon. Gentleman raised a serious point. I shall seek to be helpful to all members of the Committee.