asked the Minister of Health whether work is still being continued at the mine in Cornwall where radium deposits have been found; and, if not, whether there is any proposal to restart operations?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I am not in possession of any information on this subject.

Could the right hon. Gentleman try to find out something?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I have said that I have no information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to get some information?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

Perhaps the hon. Member may recollect that there is a Committee looking into the whole question. I propose to await their Report.

asked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that the Swedish nation has recently purchased six grammes of radium sulphate at an approximate cost of £10,000 per gramme, whether he will inquire into the possibility of a similar purchase being made by his Department, thus effecting a saving of £2,000 per gramme on the price of £12,000 at present being charged to British purchasers?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I have seen Press reports to the same effect as the first part of the question. I have no funds at my disposal for the purchase of radium, but the whole question will be considered by the Government when the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research has been received.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to how long it will be before the Report is issued? Is it likely to be a month, or a year?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I have no reason to think that it will be as long as a year, but I cannot say when it will be.