§ 46. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Health if he will send a circular to local authorities advising them not to institute experiments in the fluoridation of water supplies for particular towns or villages without his prior knowledge, and to notify local communities before beginning such experiments.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)Local health authorities and water undertakings have already been asked to consult my Department and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government before formulating any proposals for fluoridation. Local consultation is a matter for the local health authority concerned.
§ Mr. SmithDoes not the Minister therefore think that he should get in touch with the South Warwickshire Water Board, which recently carried out an experiment in Leek Wootton in Warwickshire without the consent of the local community and to which the vast majority of the community objected?
§ Mr. RobinsonI know about this experiment. It is in the nature of equipment trials and the equipment has worked very satisfactorily under laboratory conditions. It is being tested merely to ensure that it will not deliver a dosage less than the required level. It is based on a fail-safe principle. I think there is no reason for the hon. Member's constituents to be concerned about it.