§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, because of the dubiety expressed by a number of legal experts over current procedures, he will introduce a short Bill in Parliament to seek to establish the legality of adding fluoride to public water supplies, in view of the suggestion of at least one leading water authority chairman that such a definitive move is overdue.
§ Mr. MoyleI refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) on 16th December 1977.—[Vol. 941, c.580–1.]
§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is having discussions with a view to providing referenda for areas which will have fluoridation of water supplies recommended for them, or where such areas, having experienced such medication, require authorisation for its continuance.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. The decision to seek the introduction of fluoridation of water supplies rests solely with the area health authorities for the areas concerned, as part of their statutory responsibilities for preventive health. It is for each authority to decide what prior consultations are necessary locally. My Department has commended fluoridation to area health authorities as a safe and effective means of protecting the community against the widespread disease of dental decay. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has encouraged water authorities to comply with requests from area health authorities to implement their decisions.