March 21, 2002	Thursday	Muharram 6, 1423

LONDON, March 20: The future of hunting with dogs in Britain boiled down Wednesday to a straight clash between lords and commoners after two rival votes failed to significantly bridge the divide.

Ministers are expected to announce Thursday how they want to proceed after the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of a total ban, while the upper House of Lords voted equally convincingly to retain the bloodsport.

It is a political hot potato the government had been hoping to cool down by allowing a compromise option.

No chance, said the Commons, where members Monday voted by 386 votes to 175 for a ban, the fourth time they have done so since Labour took power in 1997.

The Lords, which debated the issue Tuesday, voted by 331 to 74 against the proposed ban.

However, they showed some readiness to negotiate by backing the compromise, under which hunting would still be allowed but under strict conditions. The only other option was to maintain the status quo, but that was rejected by both houses of parliament.

Nevertheless, the mood of the Commons does not appear to allow much room for a deal.—AFP