10. Captain BENN (for Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON)asked the home Secretary under what statute he interfered with the choice made by the Exeter local authorities, who appointed an inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as their officer of the local authority as inspector under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAccording to my information, the local authority did not appoint the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspector as their inspector under the Act, being advised that they had no power to do so since he was not their officer. He was appointed a special constable for the purpose of enabling him to carry out the duties under the Act; and, as I explained in my reply of 18th instant, this is contrary to the Special Constables Order, which is an Order in Council made tinder the Special Constables Acts, 1914 and 1923.