FOR the first time in British history a Government Bill on the future of hunting has been introduced.

Fox hunting is an emotive issue and on which the Government had up until now remained neutral. A number of private member's bills have been introduced but none have been enacted.

The Bill will offer MP's a free vote on three options - a total ban on hunting with dogs, more regulations or self-regulation for hunters.

The latter option has been put forward by the Countryside Alliance, which represents a number of hunting associations.

It calls for self-regulation through an independent supervisory body known as the Independent Supervisory Association for Hunting (ASAH).

The second option has been put forward by the Middle Way Group, which is a cross-party group of MP's.

It calls for the setting up of a statutory licensing authority to regulate hunting with dogs and hare coursing.

The third option has been put forward by Deadline 2000, a consortium of bodies opposed to hunting with dogs. It calls for a prohibition of hunting with dogs.

A survey of Herefordshire and Worcestershire MP's shows how split politicians are on the issue.

Both Hereford Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch and Mid Worcestershire Conservative Peter Luff say they plan to vote for the option of more regulation.

Worcester Labour MP Michael Foster, who has introduced a private members bill proposing a ban, continues with that stance. "Hunting with dogs has been shown to be cruel and unnecessary and therefore has no place in a modern Britain," he said.

That position is shared by Redditch Labour MP Jacqui Smith who said: "During the election campaign of 1997, I promised my constituents that I would vote for a ban on hunting and I see this as a delivery of that election promise."

Wyre Forest Labour MP David Lock is also adding his voice to calls for a ban.

"Because the views of my constituency are overwhelmingly in support of a ban and I regard hunting as a cruel and unnecessary activity which does nothing to preserve the countryside," he said.

But Peter Temple-Morris, former Conservative and now Labour Leominster MP, is supporting self regulation proposed by the Countryside Alliance.

"I think the hunts can be trusted to look after themselves," he said, "Option 2 would involve a whole load of bureaucracy and there's no way I would vote for a prohibition."

Sir Michael Spicer, West Worcestershire MP (Con), said he too would prefer to vote for self regulation.

"I believe people should be allowed to hunt if they wish to do so," he said.

Bromsgrove Conservative MP Julie Kirkbride said she would also support the Countryside Alliance option and, if that failed, more regulation.

n On Wednesday, Parliament voted 373-158 in favour of giving the Government's Bill to ban hunting a second reading

Micheal Foster, Jacqui Smith and David Lock supported the Bill.

Paul Keetch, Sir Michael Spicer, Peter Luff, Julie Kirkbride and Peter Temple-Morris all voted against it.