WHEN asked about hunting on television in July last year the Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "It will be banned."

In November, 1999 the Home Secretary Jack Straw said that the Government would provide time for a bill to ban hunting following the conclusion of an inquiry into the issue.

That inquiry, headed by Lord Burns, was due to report its findings on May 31. It will not make recommendations on whether hunting should or should not be banned because, as the Home Secretary has said, this is a matter for Parliament.

Every year more than 100,000 wild animals are chased, attacked and killed by dogs in the name of 'sport.' The RSPCA believes that this outdated practice is cruel and unnecessary and should be banned as soon as possible. The Government has made a promise to ban hunting and we expect them to honour that pledge by introducing legislation once the inquiry reports next week.

If you believe that hunting with dogs should be banned write to your MP and the Prime Minister today urging them to ensure that the Government delivers on its promise to ban hunting.

Lisa Dewhurst, regional press officer, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.