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The government has failed to commit to whether it will prevent wild animals being used in circuses despite MPs voting in favour of a ban.
Animal welfare minister Jim Paice told the Commons it would be "unlawful" to legislate a ban and insisted the government was looking at other ways to prevent the use of animals in circuses.
MPs last week agreed without a vote to back a motion directing the government to introduce "regulation banning the use of all wild animals in circuses from July 2012".
Speaking at departmental questions, Paice said the government will "listen" to the views of the Commons and is "sympathetic" to the motion of a ban.
"We are taking active steps towards finding a way in which to introduce a ban and clearing the obstacles that prevent us from doing so now," he told MPs.
"In the meantime we have begun, as a matter of urgency, to develop a tough licensing regime which will stop circuses from using wild animals if they do not provide the appropriate welfare standards."
Labour's John Spellar pressed the government on what the policy is on legislation to prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses.
The Warley MP reminded the minister that the House had made a "clear decision" to band wild animals in circuses
He added: "As with so many other issues, would not it be a good idea for his department to start listening to the electorate rather than the civil servants? Should he not just get on with it?"
In response, Paice said: "All the advice given to us, and to the last government, suggests that that is not the right way to proceed, which is why we are trying to overcome the obstacles."
Shadow environment minister Gavin Shuker accused the minister of "frustrating" MPs by not committing the government to introduce a ban in this Parliament.
He said: "Why does the minister continue to frustrate the will of the House? Will he commit himself to introducing a ban during the current parliamentary Session?"
Paice told MPs: "The fact is that it is unlawful for a minister to legislate if he knows that it is unlawful to do so.
"According to all the advice that we have been given, using section 12 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 would be extremely likely to raise a judicial challenge, which would not benefit the position.
"I have made it clear that we are taking the matter forward. We are exploring all avenues, both in the department and more widely outside government, in trying to find the best way of satisfying the desire of the House."
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