Clause 8 - Tests for registration: utility and least suffering
Hunting Bill
4:00 pm
Mr Tony Banks (West Ham, Labour)
I should be very interested to see firm evidence to back up the hon. Gentleman's claim, because he describes a rather worrying situation. I should like to know precisely the source of the information.
I can well understand that there would be an increase in the number of deer in a hunting area—particularly if there had been no hunting there before—because it is in the interests of those who hunt deer to ensure that the deer are there. I understand the point entirely. It is similar to mink hunting, which exists because people brought mink into the country. One can always argue that those who want to hunt have a vested interest in ensuring that they have something to hunt. Some hunts bring foxes into their area to provide the sport.