asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums were made available by grant to the RSSPCC in the last five years; and what is the estimate for 1976–77.

The information is as follows:

In 1973 there were 26,266 reports to reporters, almost all originating from the police, where the grounds for referral were offences. Of these, 12,650 were referred to a children's hearing. These figures are contained in table 2.60 of the Scottish Social Work Statistics 1973. Paragraph 8 of page 30 of that publication contains an explanation of the powers and duties of the reporter in relation to his initial action when cases are reported to him.