asked the Prime Minister whether the National Radium Trustees will have power to expend any of the funds in an endeavour to discover sources of supply independent of the Belgian company?

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. The functions of the trustees as defined in paragraph 82 of the Radium Sub-Committee's Report will not extend to this purpose.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to launch the public appeal for funds to purchase radium; and when the precise form of the organisation to be set up will be decided?

The Government have no information as to the date of an appeal though they hope it will be made in the near future. The precise form of the organisation recommended by the Radium Sub-Committee, and accepted in principle by the Government, is already under discussion, and will, I hope, be settled in a very short time.

Does that mean be fore the General Election?

I hope it will be within a very few days.

Dr. DAVIES:

Are we to understand that the radium trustees are already appointed and functioning?