19. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps 1340 to control the world price of radium by the use of the immense purchasing power of this country; whether he has, since announcing his recent scheme for the control of cancer, purchased radium; and, if so, how much and at what price?
§ Mr. ElliotI can assure the hon. Member that I have closely in mind the points he mentions, but I would ask the hon. Member to await a statement which I shall be making on this subject on the Second Reading of the Cancer Bill.
Mr. AdamsIs it not a fact that the world price of radium was £5,000 per gramme before the right hon. Gentleman made his announcement about dealing with cancer some three months ago, and that subsequent to that announcement he has had to purchase 11 grammes at £18,000 per gramme, making a difference of no less than £143,000; and does he not think that a great blunder was committed in announcing the scheme before purchasing the radium?
§ Mr. ElliotNo, Sir, that is entirely inaccurate. The option was bought at the world price, and no such purchase has taken place as he indicates. The hon. Member is under an entire misapprehension.
§ Mr. ThorneIs there anything in the Bill which will give the local authorities some control over the radium that is to be purchased?
§ Mr. ElliotI think it will be better if the hon. Member awaits the statement which I shall be making upon the Bill.
Mr. AdamsArising out of the statement of the Minister that my figures are inaccurate, will he kindly give us his figures?
§ Mr. ElliotYes, I shall give them on the Second Reading of the Cancer Bill, but I should like to say, for the information of the House, that the figures given by the hon. Member are entirely inaccurate, and that no such inflation of the purchase price has taken place.