asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been reported in the Metropolitan Police area as missing during the last 12 months; and how many have subsequently been traced.

The Commissioner Police of the Metropolis informs me that 454 children and young persons under the age of 17 were reported to him as missing during the year ended 31st December, 1948. With one exception—a boy aged over 15—all were subsequently traced.