division_name: Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill
motion: <p>Order for Second Reading read .
   
  
  <p>
   I beg to move, that the Bill be now read a Second time.
  <p> 
  
   I owe a special debt of gratitude to my staff, Margaret and Phil, who have had to cope with an excessive amount of paperwork recently. Their task has been made more difficult by the fact that the Bill has come very early in my parliamentary career. The Bill has been supported by hon. Members of all parties, whom I thank for their valuable contributions.
  <p> 
  
   I declare an interest in that I have received temporary support in the form of administrative, legal and research assistance paid for by the Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals in support of the Bill. I have a further declaration. I have also received support from thousands upon thousands of ordinary British people who want hunting with dogs banned.
  <p> 
  
   I have known for some time that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister would not be in the House today.  [Laughter.]  Conservative Members may laugh, but they obviously do not know that he is in Bosnia, with the British troops overseas, overseeing the peacekeeping process. They should not laugh about that, but take it seriously.
   
  
  <p>The Guardian  followed me for the day on the campaign trail. I was keen to put over our core message--to restate our key pledges. When a Conservative-supporting lady approached me and asked for my view on fox hunting, I said that I would vote to ban it, and she then intimated to me that she was quite likely to support me at the forthcoming general election. I thought no more about it until  The Guardian  article appeared, which said that I had promised the end of fox hunting.
  <p>
  The hon. Gentleman did not mention that, but I am pleased that the Minister agrees with that statement. I grant that the hon. Gentleman accepted it in principle, because his Bill recognises the need for culling.
  <p>Question put,  That the Question be now put:--
  <p>The House proceeded to a Division-- 
  
  <p>Question agreed to. 
  <p>Question put accordingly,  That the Bill be now read a Second time:--
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 411, Noes 151.
  