asked the Secretary for Mines, in view of the arrangements being made for the exportation of a quantity of pulverised coal from Germany to this country, what steps it is proposed to take to prevent its importation?

I am not aware of any arrangements being made for the importation of pulverised coal into this country. If the hon. Member has any information, I should be glad if he would pass it on to me.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what further progress has been made with the negotiations with various foreign countries for relieving from double Income Tax profits derived from shipping, air transport, and agencies?

Negotiations have been advanced with certain countries, but no further agreements have yet been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what persons or bodies in Newfoundland were consulted before the personnel of the Commission of Government was appointed?

The responsibility for selection of the names to be submitted to His Majesty for appointment as Commissioners of Government in Newfoundland rested with myself as Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. In the case of the three Commissioners from Newfoundland, it was naturally necessary for me, before making a selection, to ascertain from the Governor of Newfoundland the field of choice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of first-line aircraft owned by Great Britain, France, Japan, America, and Russia in 1918 and 1934?

According to my information, the current first-line strengths of the countries specified below are approximately as follow:

Great Britain	…	…	850
France	…	…	1,650
America	…	…	1,000–1,100
U.S.S.R	…	…	1,300–1,500

I am not in a position to give an up-to-date figure for Japan, since the Japanese air services are at present in process of reorganisation and expansion. Figures of first-line strength in 1918 are only available in the case of Great Britain and France. They were approximately as follow:

Great Britain	…	…	3,300
France	…	…	3,600

I should, perhaps, add that in 1918 Great Britain had a larger strength of trained flying personnel and a larger total strength of aircraft (including reserves) than any other country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of civil aeroplanes employed on regular air-lines owned by France, Germany, America, and England in 1934?

The total numbers of civil aeroplanes registered in the names of companies operating regular air-lines in France, Germany, the United States of America and in this country on 31st December last were approximately 303, 208, 600 and 60, respectively. I am unable to state how many of these aircraft are actually in current employment.

asked the Minister of Health the general nature and extent of the schemes for slum clearance proposed by the Reigate Borough Council?

The corporation have informed me that there are no slum areas in the borough.

asked the Minister of Health the general nature and extent of the schemes for slum clearance proposed by the Dorking Urban District Council?

The council have submitted a programme which they hope to complete by the end of the year 1935 for the demolition of nine slum areas comprising 78 houses.