Not present, but future -
Regulation Bill.
Quote - Worst Case:
"The Government puts forward, in November 2002, a Bill banning hunting outright or one based on illogical prejudices about "utility". Then when it is amended by The Lords to allow hunting to continue (but controlled to eliminate unnecessary suffering etc.) the Government could invoke The Parliament Act in order to override The Lords. Please note that, under this Act, an overriding vote in The Commons has to be postponed to the next session which will start in November 2003. It follows that, if the Government wishes to follow this route and there is no legal challenge to the Bill and/or to the Parliament Acts, there could be a bill passed in Dec 2003 banning hunting from Dec 2004 at the latest".
And it came to pass
Sunday Times - 10th Nov:
Licensing system will be tactic to wipe out hunts
Eben Black and Jonathan Leake
MINISTERS plan a rigorous system of licensing for foxhunting likely to result in the disappearance of most hunts under proposals set to be announced in this week’s Queen’s speech.
Under the plans, hunts would be forced to seek licences, which they could get only if they passed two tests.
First, they would have to prove there was a need for hunting, meaning that the animal they hoped to pursue was a genuine pest. Second, they would have to show that hunting was the least cruel method of doing the job, proving that chasing it across miles of countryside was less cruel than shooting it.
Yesterday Alun Michael, the rural affairs minister, confirmed that the two principles of “utility and least cruelty” would be central to the legislation, on which MPs will have a free vote.
The proposals are seen as a skilful way of wiping out hunting piecemeal, without Labour getting the blame. The licence applications would be dealt with at local level, possibly by magistrates or local commissions, rather than by the government imposing a blanket ban.