WYDOEARCHIVES R. E. Hollingsworth since 157 people are involved this would amount to about $16,000. He further recommends that such a payment be clearly identified as an "inconvenience payment'' and disassociated completely from any recompense by virtue of these people being subjected to fallout radiation. Dr. Conard outlined this problem before the Advisory Committee for Biology and Medicine at its 134th meeting in May 1970, and the ACBM in its report of that meeting to the Chairman, AEC, made the following statement: . "At its executive session, the ACBM recommended that con- Sideration be given to the development of some mechanism for payment to the Utirik population as research subjects in a way to assure their continued ccoperation with the investigation of tne Marshallese people accidentally ex- posed to radioactive fallout in 1954. It is clear that the mechanism for payment would have to avoid the connotation that this was in compensation for radiation exposure, in view of the low dose of radiation received by the Utirik population." Because of the importance of continuing this study of the biological effects of radiation on one cf the few groups o: populations available for this purpose, I stronsily urpe approval of Dr. Conard's recommendation tor an “inconvenience payment" to be funded from the budget of the Division of Biology and Medicine. However, it is recognized that there may be a certain amount of sensitivity related to such action and I am, therefore, enclosing a draft of & proposed letter to the Department of Interior to obtain their agreement to this approach. Informal discussions with representatives of the Trust Territory indicate no serious objection to the proposal. Dr. Conard and his team plan a revisit to the Marshall Islands starting approximately October 20, 1970, for continuation of the medical examinetion program, and I am hopeful we can provide him with eae favorable reaction to his proposal prior to his departure.