WAKEFIELD Labour MP David Hinchliffe slammed a minister in the Commons when she announced the Government would continue to resist attempts to outlaw smacking.
Children's Minister Margaret Hodge said: "I don't believe it would be right to criminalise parents for smacking."
Mr Hinchliffe, whose constituency includes Denby Dale and Kirkburton, demanded: "Can you explain the logic of us being allowed a free vote on fox-hunting, but not on the issue of physical punishment of children, which surely is a conscience issue if anything is."
He added that 12 European countries had introduced laws against smacking.
"Why is so difficult for this country to do the same?"
Peers rejected a move in July to amend the Children Bill and ban it.
