ONCE again Colin Richey has written to the Echo about the 'unworkable hunting ban', It's time Dave came out as a real Tory, June 3.

It may be difficult to enforce the ban on hunting wild animals for sport, but most laws require a degree of policing.

During the past few days I have read of three prostitutes being murdered, but I thought prostitution and murder were banned.

Does Mr Richey recommend abolition of the various statutes dealing with prostitution and murder to be repealed on the grounds that these laws are unworkable?

What about the Theft Act 1968? This Act has been in place for more than 40 years, but stealing still seems to be part of everyday life. Should the 1968 Act be repealed?

As with most Acts, the hunting legislation will need a considerable time to become fully effective and it may be necessary to introduce a 'recklessness clause' to prevent huntsmen escaping liability on the grounds that their activity was unintentional.

A further improvement to the Hunting Act would be to bring the punishment for contravention in line with the Scottish legislation. Our inadequate £1,000 penalty should be increased to the £5,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment that is the case north of the border. Please see Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

John Phelps

Argyll Road, Exeter