asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a statement in the Press that one of the Ministry's inspectors at Leith docks ordered three unfit horses to be destroyed; and whether the inspector has power to ensure obedience to such an order?

There have been no recent cases in which horses brought to Leith docks for shipment have been destroyed by order of the Ministry's inspector. Two horses were so destroyed as long ago as 5th May. The inspector's power to order slaughter in certain circumstances is contained in Section 1 (2) of the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, and can be enforced.