§ 39. Mr. R. MORRISONasked 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. MORRISONCould the right hon. Gentleman try to find out something?
§ Mr. MORRISONWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to get some information?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. Member may recollect that there is a Committee looking into the whole question. I propose to await their Report.
§ 40. Mr. MORRISONasked 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. CHAMBERLAINI 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.
§ Mr. MORRISONHas 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. CHAMBERLAINI have no reason to think that it will be as long as a year, but I cannot say when it will be.