Hunting vote goes to Lords

Hunters and demonstrators at the Bicester and Waddon Chase in Winslow, England.

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A vote on whether to ban hunting with hounds is heading for the UK's upper chamber, which in the past has opposed outlawing the country sport.

Politicians in the House of Commons, including Prime Minister Tony Blair, voted 386-175 in favour of an outright ban on Monday.

The issue regularly reappears in the UK political arena -- each time accompanied by vociferous supporters and opponents of legislation.

Neither the House of Lords' vote or the Commons ballot will be binding on the government, which says it wants to assess legislators' opinion before deciding what to do. A further announcement is expected before Easter.

In a separate ballot on Monday, MPs also rejected plans to seek a compromise, possibly including licensing and tighter controls of hunts.

This "third way" had been favoured by some government officials. But the MPs' decision puts more pressure on Blair to push through an outright ban.

The Scottish Parliament voted to ban hunting with dogs last month and it is expected to be outlawed in Scotland soon.

Blair voted in favour of a ban on hunting foxes, stags and hares -- the first time he has cast a ballot on this issue.

The Countryside Alliance, a pressure group including landowners and employees, tried to persuade politicians to keep hunting, saying it keeps the fox population in check and provides employment for thousands of people.

The anti-hunt lobby, including many in Blair's Labour party, says it is a cruel and an ineffective form of pest control.

MPs were given a free vote on Monday, meaning they were under no pressure to toe party lines.