COULD the thorny issue of fox hunting be about to disappear back into the undergrowth?

The proposals to ban hunting with dogs have split the Commons and the nation in recent years and occupied a permanent position close to the top of the news agenda.

They also put Worcestershire under the spotlight thanks to Mike Foster's attempts to outlaw the pursuit and Peter Luff's attempts to keep it going, via the Middle Way.

The ban failed to make it on to the statute books before the last election thanks to opposition from the House of Lords.

But MPs were promised another free vote in this Parliamentary session.

Now, though, it looks extremely unlikely this will happen.

In a briefing with journalists, Robin Cook, Leader of the Commons, said MPs' time in the current session of Parliament could be dominated by a raft of legislation to tackle terrorism.

Anti-terror measures

He pointed out three bills covering anti-terror measures, extradition and asylum were being considered, adding: I think it is one of the strengths of the Commons that it is capable of adjusting to changes in external circumstances.

It's right that the bills from September 11 should get priority.

We'll obviously keep under review the present programme, as announced, to make sure we can carry through as much of that as we can, but renewed pressures may well have consequences.

Later Mr Cook issued a statement in which he insisted that he had made it perfectly clear that no decision had been taken on the legislative programme.

To remove all doubt, repeat that no decision has been taken to drop legislation on fox hunting or any other matter, he added.

But the seeds of doubt have now been sewn and MPs in favour of a ban are worried.

Some 200 MPs, including Mr Foster, have signed an early day motion which says they are looking forward to re-affirming their stand "at the earliest possible opportunity

They will be watching closely to see what does or does not happen next.