Reassuring Labour MPs that the proposed ban on hunting with dogs was to go ahead, leader of the Commons Mr Peter Hain said last week that they will be asked to vote on a Bill banning hunting in September.

Anti-hunting campaigners want the Labour government to introduce a Bill at least one month before end of this Parliamentary session so that if it fails they can use the Parliamentary Act to pass it if peers block its progress to the statute book.

MPs across all parties had fully expected the matter to be debated before the summer recess next month.

Newspaper reports last week suggest that anti-hunting MPs have been given private assurances that the Government will definitely get the legislation on to the statute book this session.