FOR months, Tory MPs have been moaning about the amount of Parliamentary time given to debating a ban on hunting.

The Government has lost all sense of priority, they have complained.

Hospitals and schools have been forced to take a back seat by Labour MPs blinded by prejudice and hatred, we have repeatedly been told.

But, deep down, the pro-hunt MPs are just as "obsessed" with the thorny issue and this week they just couldn't hold back.

It may have been the impending summer recess, which will deprive MPs of the chance to have a row about fox hunting until at least September.

Or it could have been the stifling heat - there is no air conditioning at Westminster and the place is thoroughly unpleasant in summer.

But, whatever the reason, hunting was going to be discussed at Home Office questions.

There are strict rules governing what can be discussed in the Commons and any question must be, albeit loosely, linked to the main topic up for debate.

The Tories' first attempt to rubbish plans for a ban was just about acceptable, with one of their number trying to leap on the back of a remark about record police numbers.

This was all very well, the pro-hunt MP said, but policing a ban would overstretch the police as huntsmen would carry on regardless.

But Home Secretary David Blunkett wasn't falling for that trap. So another Tory had a go - on the back of a statement about new reports into the serial killer Harold Shipman.

The Speaker saw this one coming and allowed the MP to splutter only a few words before he was told to sit down.

But Julie Kirkbride, who had been watching events unfold from a seat on the back bench, had not given up.

She tried to hijack a question about new powers to tackle gypsy camps.

The Bromsgrove MP said: "Does the Minister recognise that one of the principal problems that leads to large-scale encampments not being dealt with is that the police cannot deal with the numbers involved and ensure public safety? That has certainly been the case in Worcestershire.

"(The) Government's determination to go ahead with a Bill to ban fox hunting will only add to the problem of public order and public safety."

Junior minister Fiona Mactaggart was incredulous.

"The efforts of the Conservative party to defend the rights of fox hunters, under any guise, are becoming almost entertaining," she said.

Yes, but to whom?

Parliament is now in recess until September 8. James Slack returns on September 13.