§ 3.26 p.m.
§ Baroness Fisher of Rednal asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Which organisations and authorities have been consulted on proposed guidance regarding the Water Fluoridation Act 1985, now contained in the Water Industry Act 1991.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)My Lords, comments on the draft guidance for health authorities on water fluoridation were invited from the former regional health authorities, the Water Services Association, the Water Companies Association and other government departments.
§ Baroness Fisher of RednalMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. On 20th January she said that guidelines would be available in the spring. I do not suggest a date when spring starts and finishes. However, I hope that she will be able to highlight in the guidelines the deplorable state of affairs between the water authorities and the side concerned with public health. The two are constantly in conflict. That was not the intention of the Water Fluoridation Act when it was put on the statute book. Can the Minister give the House any assurance that that conflict will cease following the publication of the new guidelines?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, that would be our intention. The water authorities want further clarification on one or two matters of detail. We will try to achieve that.
§ Baroness HaymanMy Lords, we now understand from Mr. Malone that the advice that the Department of Health is issuing is to health authorities rather than to the water companies. Is that not the wrong target? What action will the Government take to ensure that water companies, following proper consultation by health authorities and a request for fluoridation, act within the intentions of the 1985 Act?
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy Lords, it is a matter for the water companies to decide whether or not they wish to fluoridate the water. The guidance will be useful to water companies as well as to health authorities.