The latest pronouncement to come from No. 10, is that while he - Tony Blair - is in office, shooting and fishing will not be under any threat.
Simply that 'hunting with dogs ' (when will he stop referring to hounds as dogs), it to be outlawed.
This statement so well illustrates how little he (Blair) and his band of urbanites know of the countryside and its ways.
In East Cornwall, and right across the country, there exists many packs of 'foot-hounds'; hounds (and beagles) used to put out of cover the fox which is then dispatched painlessly and instantly by followers with shot-guns.
I know of no other method that gives 99% positive results - the fox is either put down instantly or gets away untouched.
If he does make good his threat to ban hunting with hounds, this type of shooting will also be banned - so much for his promise to leave shooting alone.
Can we put this down to ignorance or just another case of leaving his foot in the door?
ROY WILLIAMS
Callington