Before the Government was elected, I wrote to Andrew Smith as the only local MP who was anti-hunt. I had despaired of Michael Heseltine, my own MP, as he is rabidly pro-hunt.
Mr Smith replied in friendly terms, assuring me of his total commitment to a complete ban on hunting, which an elected Labour Government would enact.
A reliable source tells me that Mr Smith has said he will support the Government's plans to license foxhunting, rather than support the backbenchers' plans to amend the Bill for a complete ban.
This extremely dangerous Bill must be amended to achieve a ban, or the power and influence of hunting people can be brought to bear to weaken the conditions for a licence.
We face the prospect of seeing state-approved hunting, a deeply offensive and sick possibility.
Although the Bill will ban deer hunting and hare coursing, which is welcome, it will protect only a fraction of the animals potentially at risk of being hunted to death.
The majority of animals killed by hounds, lurchers and terriers are foxes. I urge Mr Smith's constituents to write to him, pressing him to support an amendment to ban foxhunting outright.
PENNY LITTLE
Protect Our Wild Animals
Rectory Road
Great Haseley
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