Lord Winstanleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to publish the DHSS guidelines on water fluoridation.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleA draft circular giving guidance to health authorities on the implementation of fluoridation schemes and also containing a model agreement between health authorities and water undertakers and an indemnity from the Secretary of State to water undertakers was sent to regional health authorities for consultation earlier this year. In the light of the responses received, discussions are taking place with representatives of the water industry on the final form of the guidelines. I hope that these will be concluded in the near future so that the guidelines can be issued.