§ Sir E. GRAHAM-LITTLEasked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of promoting the formation of a committee of inquiry to take evidence and to report as to the best methods of forwarding radium research and advising as to the most useful application of the sums of public money subscribed for that purpose and at present in the custody of the National Radium Trust?
Sir H. YOUNGMy hon. Friend will be aware that, as has already been stated in the House on several occasions, the Radium Trust and the Radium Commission are not appointed by the Minister of Health, but are constituted by Royal Charter. It is the duty of the Radium Commission under Article 7 of the Charter to make arrangements for the proper custody, equitable distribution and full use of the radium which may from time to time be the property of the Trust with the object of promoting the treatment of the sick throughout Great Britain and the advancement of knowledge of the best methods of rendering such treatment and of securing due economy in the use of radium for the purposes of such treatment; to consider proposals submitted to them for the use of the radium for these purposes, and to arrange the supply on loan of the radium or any preparations of it so as to enable proposals approved by them to be carried out. I have, therefore, in the first instance referred my hon. Friend's suggestion to the Radium Commission for their consideration, and I will inform him of their views in due course.