Is a ban coming? The scent is weak

A hound ponders his future with the Quantock Staghounds in Somerset yesterday: is a Labour MP's anti-hunting Bill going to deprive him of a livelihood or not? The attitude of Downing Street will be crucial, since the Government controls the parliamentary timetable by which most Private Member's Bills fail or succeed. But Tony Blair was giving no hint last night to hounds, huntsmen or hunt saboteurs: Downing Street seemed intent on having it both ways.

So is he in favour of a ban, or against one? Gossip reports that he personally supports a ban but does not want to jeopardise other legislation in the Lords. Or perhaps his new friend, the Prince of Wales, has had a word?