I WRITE with regard to the recent attacks on both fox hunting and the Conservative Party by Messrs Schmid and Gillatt via the Letters Page of the BEN.

Both writers are vociferous in condemning fox hunting and yet I would be very surprised if they had ever witnessed a fox hunt and yet feel justified in decrying the activity. But this comes as no surprise because it is exactly what the Labour Government is doing with its proposed ban, when they have not the slightest knowledge about the subject and the ramifications that such a ban would have on the rural community of this country.

They are equally damning in their criticism of the Tory Party leader, William Hague, because of his support for fieldsports. Yet what they fail to realise is that Mr Hague was brought up in and represents a rural community where fox hunting and fieldsports are a way of life and, as such, he is fully aware and knowledgable about fieldsports and realises what a catastrophic blow a ban would have.

However, what I and many others find particularly galling is the fact that Mr Blair's outburst against hunting with dogs only occurred after he had received a donation of £1.1 million from the Anti-Hunt Alliance, so, in effect, if such a Bill is forthcoming, it is not a case of cash for questions, as in the case of former Tory minister Neil Hamilton, but cash for a Bill that will become part of the statute of this country.

This has to be considered, along with the fact that, when Blair made his announcement in question time, he stated that he voted for a ban on hunting with dogs during the Foster Bill. Not true. If one examines a copy of Hansard, which records all the workings of the House of Commons, you will find that he was not even in the House when the vote was taken.

He accuses the Tory lords of talking the Bill out in the House of Lords and therefore stopping its passage. Yet again, not true, because the Bill never even reached the House of Lords.

So, Messrs Schmid and Gillatt, I do think it a bit rich when you condemn the Tory Party and its leader for supporting an important part of rural life, when you in turn support a man who, while in charge of and leading the Government of this country, accepts money from the Anti-Hunt Alliance.

Mr A J H Pilkington

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