HL Deb 11 January 2000 vol 608 cc106-8WA
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 8 April 1998 (WA 144) and the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 6 December 1999 (WA 76)

(a) When they first made a financial contribution to the British Fluoridation Society;

(b) What were the contributions for the years not already listed in the above Written Answers; and

(c) What has been the basis for the differing allocations year by year. [HL354]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The British Flouridation Society first received government support in 1975–76. Contributions before 1987–88 were:

Year Amount(£)
1975–76 4,500
1976–77 5,500
1977–78 5,500
1978–79 5,500
1979–80 5,500
1980–81 11,000
1981–82 14,000
1982–83 15,000
1983–84 15,000
1984–85 15,000
1985–86 30,000
1986–87 20,000

Allocations have varied in accordance with a business plan agreed with the Department of Health.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is a proper use of taxpayers' money to make grants of £154,000 during the past two years to the British Fluoridation Society, in view of the differing views on the moral, commercial and health aspects of water fluoridation; and [HL365]

What scrutiny measures are in place to ensure that the £154,000 of taxpayers' money given to the British Fluoridation Society is under proper financial control; and [HL366]

Whether the British Fluoridation Society (BFS) has supplied them with details of what use has been made and is being made of the £154,000 of taxpayers' money given to them; and what measures are taken to ensure that any information disseminated by the BFS using that money is accurate and impartial. [HL367]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The British Fluoridation Society (BFS) monitors relevant research, and maintains a database on safety, efficacy and legislative issues arising from the fluoridation of water. Since 1975 successive governments have funded the BFS to help promote and implement their policies on oral health and to provide objective, evidence based advice to all interested parties.

Like other recipients of government funds, the BFS works to an annual business plan agreed with the Department of Health and submits audited accounts.