§ 21. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Health what representations have been received from the County Councils Association about the development of a national policy for the fluoridation of water supplies; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BarberIn November 1962, a deputation from the Association urged the Government to adopt a national policy in favour of fluoridation. In 26 December 1962, local health authorities were informed of my predecessor's readiness to approve the making of arrangements with water undertakings for fluoridation of water supplies as a measure for the prevention of dental decay.
§ Mr. HallMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that I am a little puzzled by that reply, because at the moment there does not seem to he any form of national policy to guide the action of water boards? If my right hon. Friend is so sure that the fluoridation of water is so beneficial to public health, and that it has been proved beyond doubt that its application will not have ally cumulative ill effects on anybody, should not he in the public interest insist on all water being treated in this way? If my right hon. Friend does not so insist, does not it mean that he has doubts arising out of the recent comments on research in Canada and more recently at Oxford, that perhaps the long-term effect on some people may not be beneficial?
§ Mr. BarberI looked into this matter most carefully as soon as I went to the Ministry of Health because I realised that it was a matter on which my hon. Friend and others held a view different from mine. I believe that this is a most valuable measure for the reduction of dental disease, but I think it is right that the decison whether or not to arrange with the water undertakings for fluoridation should be left to the local authorities. Indeed, I think I am right in saying that about sixty authorities have passed resolutions in favour of making such arrangements.
§ Mr. HallMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that, including Bucks, there are about six counties which draw water in whole or in part from the Backs Water Board, and that, as they cannot agree among themselves as to whether they should introduce this policy, it is impossible for those who wish it to have the water treated in this way, and that it is beneficial to those who do not wish it to be so treated?
§ Mr. BarberI know that my hon. Friend's views are sincerely held. I take a different view from him, but I think 27 it is right that this decision should be left to local authorities and water undertakings.