To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training on the provisions of the Hunting Act 2004 the police receive. (220795)

[holding answer 21 July 2008]: Training given to police officers on the provisions of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for Chief Officers. The police have made it clear that they will enforce the hunting ban and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) issued guidance for police forces on the practical aspects of enforcing the Hunting Act in 2005. ACPO are currently doing further work to draw out and disseminate best practice on enforcement of the Hunting Act across the police service ahead of the start of the next hunting season.