asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has completed his examination of the records of employment of young persons released on licence from approved schools during the past 10 years; and whether he considers there is any general ground for instituting a more thorough and systematic supervision over such employments?

I have received particulars relating to 15 schools, covering 1,799 cases of licensing to employment. These do not indicate any ground for anxiety as to the welfare of the boys and girls in question. Returns from the remaining eight schools are still outstanding, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when the inquiries have been completed.