Clause 8 - Tests for registration: utility and least suffering
Hunting Bill
4:15 pm
Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire, Conservative)
Hands are being waved at me; it is rather like being a teacher at school when everyone wants to leave the room. We have highlighted the fundamental difference between the two sides of the Committee. On these Benches, we are ready to accept that there is some utility in sport and recreation. We are not ashamed of that and are perfectly ready to say that the reasons for going hunting are to have fun, to get fit, to exercise horses and to see the countryside. There are a variety of sports and recreational reasons. We make no pretence that that is not the case. That utility goes alongside the other utilities listed in the Bill and the amendment. Perhaps I should move on to some of the others.