MINISTERS are threatening to sacrifice up to three significant pieces of legislation if the Conservatives in the Lords stand in the way of a final push to ban foxhunting.

Government sources said yesterday that the Pensions Bill, Children Bill or Civil Contingencies Bill could fail to become law before the end of the session if Tories insist on more time to debate a ban on hunting with dogs.

A source told The Times: “These are the three Bills that could potentially run out of time. The Lords have considered this (Hunting) Bill the last time round.”

The threat arises from the insistence of Lord Strathclyde, Shadow Leader of the Lords, that they need six days to debate a reintroduced Hunting Bill.

The Pensions Bill sets up a protection fund for employees of insolvent companies; the Children Bill establishes a children’s commissioner for England; and the Civil Contingencies Bill overhauls emergency powers.

Peter Hain, Leader of the Commons, is expected to confirm that the Hunting Bill will be brought back next week, allowing Tony Blair to ask the Speaker to use the Parliament Act to force it through.

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