asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total number of road casualties in 1976; and whether this represents an increase or decrease by comparison with 1975.

Provisional road casualty figures for 1976 are 338,100, an increase of 4 per cent. over 1975.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will investigate the extent of financial loss suffered by innocent parties to motor accidents.

When another party is liable in law for personal injury damages, innocent parties are already fully protected by the terms of the Road Traffic Act 1972 and my right hon. Friend's agreement with the Motor Insurers' Bureau. Whether there should be any change in the basis of liability is one of the matters within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury. So far as property damage is concerned, we are aware that difficulties sometimes arise, particularly where the driver alleged to be responsible is not identifiable; but there is no basis on which the extent of losses incurred could be assessed.