Clause 6 - Deer
Hunting Bill
4:15 pm
Mr Mike Hall (Weaver Vale, Labour)
I should say that I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's intervention, but it was more of a speech and a repetition of what he said for a good hour. The Burns report is clear: it says on page 39 that a hunt lasts on average three hours. The hon. Gentleman may be right that some deer, hind or stags are caught in 20 minutes, but, according to Burns, it takes much longer than that in some cases. I do not know what is the condition of that beast at the end of the chase, but I am concerned about it.
I must press the hon. Members for Taunton and for East Devon (Mr. Swire) on the point that the deer herd will reduce by 10 per cent. a year if we ban stag hunting. We do not know what evidence backs up that claim, but is there evidence to suggest that the herd has declined by 10 per cent. a year where deer do not have to be hunted in the way described?