BEAR BAITING

Early day motion 221, tabled 17 January 2001 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 94 members.

That this House notes with disgust that the incidence of bear baiting in the Punjab and Sindh regions is still a problem even though it was declared illegal by the Pakistan Government in 1998; notes the serious damage and suffering that bear baiting inflicts on the bears and the dogs which are used to fight against them; further notes that there are only an estimated 300 bears left in the wilds of Pakistan because of this cruel and barbaric sport; calls upon the Pakistan Government, the United Kingdom Government and other nations to join forces to ensure that this sport is completely eradicated; and also calls upon the Pakistan Government to give its full co-operation to the World Society for the Protection of Animals in confiscating bears and placing them in a purpose-built sanctuary created by WSPA.

Signatures by party: Labour 70, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Unknown 1.