To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what reports he has received of proposals for hunting with dogs on (a) Ministry of Defence land and (b) at the Colchester Garrison; and if he will take action to prevent such activity; [98399](2) what his policy is towards allowing Ministry of Defence land to be used for hunting with dogs; and if he will make a statement. [98400]
The Ministry of Defence has issued 27 licences for hunting with dogs on the Defence Estate for the 2002–03 season, including one for the Colchester area. In the absence of a statutory ban, my Department has no legal grounds on which to stop this activity, which has been undertaken under licensed conditions for many years on its estate. However, mindful of all the issues involved, foxhunting is restricted to those hunts that have traditionally held licences or enjoyed such rights on the Defence Estate.The current foxhunting season, (which began on 1 September 2002 and which ends on 30 April 2003), is being conducted under strict terms and conditions, agreed with the Master of Foxhounds Association.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last time hunting with dogs was permitted on (a) Ministry of Defence land and (b) at the Colchester Garrison; and on how many occasions since May 1997 such activity has taken place. [98401]
The information regarding the number of times hunting with dogs has taken place on Ministry of Defence land is not held centrally. Hunting has taken place in the Colchester Garrison area on eight days since May 1997, the last occasion being 14 December 2000.