MIKE Foster and Peter Luff normally enjoy cordial relations. But when it comes to a ban on fox-hunting they are at each other's throats.

The Commons witnessed the two Worcestershire MPs' blood boiling during the debate on the Hunting Bill on Wednesday.

First, a spat erupted over the tale of the Jeavons family who, Worcester Labour MP Mr Foster said, had become ''antis'' after a hunt strayed onto their property.

Mr Luff shot down his case, saying the family were trying to get their own back on the Croome & West Warwickshire Hunt because they were no longer allowed to ride with it after not paying their cap fees.

Then Mr Foster laid into the Middle Way group which Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Mr Luff co-chairs. It is proposing an independent licensing authority for hunts.

But this does not impress the Worcester MP. ''Those who want to hunt will pay their fees and go off with their licences,'' said Mr Foster. ''The saying 'He who pays the piper calls the tune' has often been quoted to me and that is exactly what will happen in the case of the so-called independent authority.''

But Buckingham Tory MP John Bercow, who incidentally recently discovered a more tolerant public face, sprung to Mr Luff's defence.

''Does the Honourable Gentleman, on the strength of the logic that he has employed, object profoundly to the Advertising Standards Authority which operates on precisely the same basis?'' he quizzed Mr Foster.

The Worcester MP rebutted this attack. ''We are dealing here with an animal welfare matter, not with whether a particular advertisement should be shown on television,'' he replied.

Mr Foster ploughed on: ''Four years ago, I was placed in a unique position with my Private Member's Bill (to outlaw hunting with dogs).

''I was, and still am, opposed to hunting.''

Mr Luff intervened: ''The honourable Gentleman should listen to his constituents.''

But Mr Foster hit back: ''That is exactly what I did. My constituents asked me, in the local newspaper, to take up the issue.

'' I am pleased that I took up the challenge, and I am pleased that the Government is bringing the matter to a conclusion.

What conclusion remains to be seen.