Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Memorandum of Understanding: MOD and League Against Cruel Sports

Monday 30 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • The MOU was implemented without announcement to Parliament or informing Members.
  • The MOU provided special treatment to one group of users, which the government considers problematic.
  • The policy coincided with a donation from animal rights supporters to the Labour party.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The question arises from the termination of a memorandum of understanding between the Department and the League Against Cruel Sports. This involved monitoring of trail hunting, which is sometimes used as a smokescreen for illegal activities.

Question

For what reasons did the government end the memorandum of understanding with the League Against Cruel Sports regarding the monitoring of trail hunting on Ministry of Defence land? Trail hunting can be used to cover up illegal hunting and there have been incidents of foxes being killed on MOD land. What was the Secretary of State's awareness of these concerns within the DIO, and what advice did officials provide?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The MOU was put in place without announcement to Parliament or informing Members, and it provided special treatment to one group of users. The policy coincided with a large donation to the Labour party from animal rights supporters. It is corrupt that such policies are made unannounced after funding donations. Everyone should have equal access to land usage, and there are complaints from other sides as well.

Not addressed: The reasons for ending the memorandum of understanding and specific advice given by officials were not addressed in detail.

How: The Policy Coincided With A Large Donation To The Labour Party, It Is Corrupt, Mr Speaker

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Q2 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question follows the initial query about the termination of a memorandum of understanding with the League Against Cruel Sports. This MOU was meant to facilitate monitoring of trail hunting, which sometimes masks illegal hunting activities.

Question

The previous memorandum of understanding facilitated the monitoring of trail hunting on MOD land. There have been cases where foxes were killed and incidents of threatening conduct by hunt staff. Was the Secretary of State aware of these serious concerns within DIO regarding licensed hunts, and what advice did officials provide?

Answer from Ben Wallace

The MOU was put in place without informing Parliament or Members. It gave special treatment to one group, which is disturbing. The policy coincided with a donation from animal rights supporters to Labour. Everyone should have equal access and respect for land usage.

Not addressed: The reasons for ending the MOU and specific advice by officials were not addressed.

How: It Was Put In Place Without Announcement, A Large Donation To Labour From Animal Rights Supporters

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