HC Deb 10 January 1989 vol 144 cc513-4W
Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the bodies from whom water authorities accept requests for additional chemicals to be added to the public water supply.

Mr. Moynihan

Water undertakers consider requests for additional chemicals to be added to the public water supply from district health authorities under the terms of the Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what respects the form of request and acceptance of liability from and by health authorities in respect of adding chemicals to the public water supply varies between water authorities and the statutory water companies.

Mr. Moynihan

When making such requests and accepting liability, health authorities make no distinction between water authorities and statutory water companies.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory water companies which add chemicals to the public water supply at the request of health authorities.

Mr. Moynihan

The Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company, South Staffordshire Water Company, East Worcestershire Water Company and Colne Valley Water Company add either hexafluorosilicic acid or disodium hexafluorosilicate to the public water supply at the request of district health authorities.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a water authority can refuse a request from a health authority for additional chemicals to be added to the public water supply.

Mr. Moynihan

Yes.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received regarding the addition of chemicals to the public water supply at the request of health authorities following privatisation of the water authorities.

Mr. Moynihan

The legal position concerning the addition of fluoride to water supplies is set out in the Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985 and will be unaffected by privatisation.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the range of additional chemicals added to the public water supply at the request of(a) health authorities and (b) other bodies not being water authorities.

Mr. Moynihan

Hexafluorsilicic acid and disodium hexafluorosilicate may be added to the public water supply but only at the request of district health authorities.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water authorities have requested additional financial safeguards in order to cover all liabilities from the effects of chemicals added to the public water supply at the request of health authorities.

Mr. Moynihan

The Water Authorities Association has made a request to the Department of Health for additional financial safeguards on behalf of its members.