asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardships which have been created in a number of cases through the inability of victims of negligent driving or their dependants to claim damages owing to the death of the drivers; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation designed to provide protection far future victims?

I cannot see my way to introduce legislation which would involve an alteration in the Common Law in its application to a particular class of accident. The position was fully explained in Committee on the Bill by the then Solicitor-General, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of his statement on that occasion.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the numbers of automatic and manual telephone exchanges in the whole country; and the numbers of subscribers served by each of these two groups of exchanges?

At the end of February, 1932, there were 950 automatic exchanges open, serving approximately 375,000 subscribers, and 4,152 manual exchanges, serving approximately 920,000 subscribers.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye as representing the Forestry Commissioners the acreage proposed to be planted during the next 12 months and the approximate number of men likely to be employed?

Next season the Forestry Commissioners propose to plant 21,500 acres. The number of persons likely to be employed during the next 12 months will average approximately 3,000.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the number of families that reside in Hampton Court and Kensington Palaces; and whether their apartments are kept in repair and decorated by his Department free of charge to the tenant in addition to the non-payment of rent?

At Hampton Court Palace there are 54 inhabited apartments or residences; of these, five are occupied by officials and the remainder by persons holding as Grace and Favour residents. At Kensington Palace there are four official residences, and 11 Grace and Favour residences. The official residences are repaired and decorated throughout by my Department free of cast to the occupants. The Grace and Favour residences are redecorated by my Department at the expense of the Vote for Royal Palaces at the beginning of each occupation; but during their occupation residents themselves are liable for ordinary internal repairs and decoration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will furnish a statement giving the names and addresses of the naval charities which share in the receipts of the Navy Week?

A list of the charities between which the proceeds of the Navy Weeks at the three home ports have been distributed is being supplied to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the difficulties caused by the differences of interpretation by the Customs as to what constitutes the cost of landing charges; and if he will give general instructions to put this matter on a clear basis?

I understand that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have already issued the necessary instructions.