1995: MPs move to outlaw hunting
A bill which would ban hunting with hounds in England and Wales has become the first such proposal to get a second reading in parliament.
The private member's bill, introduced by Labour MP John McFall, would outlaw fox and stag-hunting and hare-coursing.
There was cheering in the House of Commons chamber and the public gallery as it was passed by 253 votes to nil after its first reading.
But the bill is still unlikely to become law as its opponents in the Conservative ranks decided not to vote against it in the early stages.
However, when it comes up for discussion in committee they are expected to use delaying tactics so it runs out of parliamentary time.
A spokesman for the British Field Sports Society said the bill stood no prospect of reaching the statute book unless the "anti-country sports" elements were dropped.
But the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA), one of the bill's main backers, insisted the end was in sight for blood sports.
A statement issued by the RSPCA said: "This is a historic first step towards a better deal for Britain's wild animals.
"It is just a matter of time before wild mammals get full protection in the law."
But without the help of the government the bill is unlikely to get enough parliamentary time to get on to the statute books.
The governing Conservatives, traditionally the party backed by the hunting lobby, could not afford to be seen to support such a bill.
However, any future Labour government is expected to allow a free vote on the issue.
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