§ 25. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Health what research he has authorised into the value of zirconium as a preventive to dental decay in children's teeth; and if he will make a statement on the results of the experiments.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNone, Sir. No scientific report on the American research has yet been received and I have no evidence which would justify me in asking for research to be carried out in this country.
§ Mr. RankinIs not my right hon. Friend aware that statistics have been published, and researches at the University of Indiana show that zirconium prevents decay not only of juvenile teeth, but also of adult teeth? If that be the case, would not it be rather difficult for my right hon. Friend to defend the system of compulsory mass medication to attain the same end?
§ Mr. RobinsonPerhaps I can tell my hon. Friend that reports in the American and British Press were exaggerated, and were unauthorised by the research workers concerned. Until at least preliminary results are available, I have no evidence on which to judge the potentialities of the suggested method.