December 17, 2002, 10:30
Six people have been arrested in London today, as hundreds of hunt campaigners staged a noisy demonstration while MPs debated new plans to resolve the hunting debate. There were reports of scuffles as some marchers tried to break through lines of police trying to keep them from other protesters.
"The people need to know that we mean what we say, we want to be listened to and we want the town people to leave us alone in the country, to live our lives according to our moral decisions," one protester said. The Conservatives failed in their bid to scupper the hunting plans, which would ban some hunts but allow others to continue under licence.
The bill was given its second reading by 368 votes to 155, but there was scant support for the proposals. Earlier, mounted police were brought in to try to control the noisy crowds in Parliament Square, which was blocked to traffic. The government is proposing a ban on hare-coursing and stag hunting, with hunting with dogs only allowed with special licences.
The bill raises the prospect of another stalemate if the Commons amends it to call for a total ban on hunting with dogs and such a move is opposed in the Lords. - Reuters
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