LEGISLATION to decide the future of hunting with dogs in North Yorkshire will be unveiled "within weeks", Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael has pledged.

Speaking at the end of a three-day Westminster hearing, he pledged the proposals would not be a simple list of "cans" and "can'ts".

Instead it would be based on whether less "cruel" methods of killing foxes could be found.

Insiders said this would lead to a ban on hare coursing, stag hunting and lowland fox hunting - the traditional pursuit in North Yorkshire.

Mr Michael has faced claims the hearing was a waste of time as Labour MPs will "gut" whatever legislation he brings forward and turn it into an

outright ban.

But Mr Michael said he was hopeful they would study the evidence given over the last three days before reaching a decision.

Earlier yesterday, economist Sean Rickard rubbished claims by Lord Burns that a ban would cost the rural economy between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs.

He said Lord Burns had "dreamed up" the figure.

Mr Rickard argued the impact on the economy and jobs would be "negligible" and would be barely noticeable outside hunting circles.

The money spent annually on

hunting would be spent elsewhere in the economy - creating new jobs.

He concluded: "To those who lose their jobs, it will be a personal tragedy - but this goes on every day in our economy."

However Charles Nodder, adviser to the national Gamekeepers Organisation, said job losses in his profession would be substantial.

He argued a ban would also force landowners to turn to "illegal control techniques".

York University's Dr Piran White told the inquiry a hunting ban would have no impact on the management of foxes.

Environment lecturer Dr White claimed that - of killing foxes - hunting with dogs was not the most effective method.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, September 12, 2002