I must say that I really do think that the amount of time being wasted by Parliament on the debate on hunting with hounds is a national disgrace.

The horrendous growth in murder and injury through the use of handguns in inner cities, the levels of lawlessness and a growing disrespect for the law generally, will not be enhanced by making criminals of the very people who do respect the law, pay their taxes and cause trouble to no other person. The issue among the majority of MP's apposed to hunting has little to do with the welfare of the fox but much more to do with spite and vindictiveness against some of their fellow citizens, in addition to a high level of self enforced ignorance of the subject. The latter point is well illustrated by the their disdainful attitude to the report completed on the instructions of their own Government, by Lord Burns, who concluded that hunting with hounds is probably less cruel and considerably less dangerous than other forms of indiscrimate fox control.

Roger Bennett, Broadway, Worcs.