SEC. 410B.

(a) There is established in the National Cancer Institute a National Cancer Advisory Board (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 'Board') to be composed of twenty-three members as follows:

(1) The Secretary, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the chief medical officer of the Veterans' Administration (or his designee), and a medical officer designated by the Secretary of Defense shall be ex officio members of the Board.

(2) Eighteen members appointed by the President. Not more than twelve of the appointed members of the Board shall be scientists or physicians and not more than eight of the appointed members shall be representatives from the general public. The scientists and physicians appointed to the Board shall be appointed from persons who are among the leading scientific or medical authorities outstanding in the study, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer or in fields related thereto. Each appointed member of the Board shall be appointed from among persons who by virtue of their training, experience, and background are especially qualified to appraise the programs of the National Cancer Institute.

(b) (1) Appointed members shall be appointed for six-year terms, except that of the members of first appointed six shall be appointed for a term of two years, and six shall be appointed for a term of four years, as designated by the President at the time of appointment.

(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the remainder of such term. Appointed members shall be eligible for reappointment and may serve after the expiration of their terms until their successors have taken office.

(3) A vacancy in the Board shall not affect its activities, and twelve members thereof shall constitute a quorum.

(4) The Board shall supersede the existing National Advisory Cancer Council, and the appointed members of the Council serving on the effective date of this section shall serve as additional members of the Board for the duration of their terms then existing, or for such shorter time as the President may prescribe.

(c) The President shall designate one of the appointed members to serve as Chairman for a term of two years.

(d) The Board shall meet at the call of the Director of the National Cancer Institute or the Chairman, but not less often than four times a year and shall advise and assist the Director of the National Cancer Institute with respect to the National Cancer Program.

(e) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall designate a member of the staff of the Institute to act as Executive Secretary of the Board.

(f) The Board may hold such hearings, take such testimony, and sit and act at such times and places as the Board deems advisable to investigate programs and activities of the National Cancer Program.

(g) The Board shall submit a report to the President for transmittal to the Congress not later than January 31 of each year on the progress of the National Cancer Program toward the accomplishment of its objectives.

(h) Members of the Board who are not officers or employees of the United States shall receive for each day they are engaged in the performance of the duties of the Board compensation at rates not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate in effect for GS-18 of the General Schedule, including travel time; and all members, while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as such expenses are authorized by section 5703, title 5, United States Code, for person in the Government service employed intermittently.

(i) The Director of the National Cancer Institute shall make available to the Board such staff, information, and other assistance as it may require to carry out its activities.

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