Letter from Thomas Gold to Professor H Elliot, Department of Physics, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College of Science and Technology, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BZ, England Marked 'Confidential'. Concerns Royal Society candidates. Considers the case for D Lal a very strong one. Has had much contact with him in recent years through joint studies of lunar samples. Can say that he brings to this not only great technical competence but also a refreshingly open and enquiring attitude, which is generally missing in this field. Had not been sent a list of other names with whom to make a comparison, but he feels that Lal would be very high on it in his estimation. 13 January 1978