Battle looms over pledge to reach a conclusion on fox-hunting law

A fierce battle between the Commons and Lords over fox-hunting looms after the Government pledged to "reach a conclusion" on the contentious issue.

Anti-hunting campaigners are convinced that the promise will start a process that will end with a total ban on bloodsports by the middle of 2004. But the subject has proved a running sore between the two Houses in recent years, with Commons votes to outlaw hunting consistently overturned by the Lords.

After the most recent defeat, Alun Michael, the Rural Affairs minister, announced a six-month consultation period in an effort to find a compromise. His conclusions, to be published by the year's end, will form the basis of a hunting Bill.

Last night, the Government would not be drawn on its contents, promising only that the measure would "enable Parliament to reach a conclusion on hunting with dogs".

It is widely believed that the Bill would allow hunting to continue under licence where it can be demonstrated to be the most humane way of killing foxes. Were that to happen, Labour MPs would almost certainly amend it to force through a complete ban, setting the scene for another clash with the Lords.

The Government would then be expected to take the unusual step of using the Parliament Act to override the Lords and force the ban into law a year later.

John Rolls, of the Campaign to Protect Hunted Animals, said: "The case against hunting with dogs is overwhelming and the issue must be finalised. Any compromise that allowed some hunting to continue would prolong the controversy and would fail to do the job the public wants done."

The Middle Way Group, which supports hunting under a new licensing system, said: "The Queen's Speech confirmed what many hoped for – that what is needed is a serious, measured commitment by the Government to resolve the issue of hunting with dogs once and for all. The words of the Queen's Speech are important because they recognise that no simple solution exists."

The Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, the group's co-chairman, added: "This is the challenge before us. And this can only happen if all sides are grown-up enough to listen, and honest enough to accept the merit of others' arguments. It depends on whether people are looking for a victory, or a solution. The Middle Way is looking for a solution."

John Jackson, chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: "We expect the Government to keep its word and make proposals which are fair and based on principle and evidence. Any departure from this would result in resistance, not only by rural people, but all who value social justice."

The Rural Affairs minister has been taking evidence and listening to the views of animal welfare and pro-hunting groups after the Burns inquiry into hunting. The Government said Mr Michael had been trying to identify "as much common ground as possible".

But the Government said a hunting Bill will only be introduced, "based on evidence and principle", once the minister had finished considering all the evidence.

MPs have already voted several times to ban hunting with dogs since Labour came to power in 1997. The last government Bill on the issue fell when the 2001 general election was called.