§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the cost of fluoridation of the public drinking water supply is charged to(a) the public and (b) health authorities when it is introduced by water companies.
§ Mr. MacleanI am advised that both the capital and revenue costs are borne by the health authorities.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those water companies that(a) have introduced and (b) are proposing to introduce fluoridation of the public drinking water supplies.
§ Mr. MacleanPresent legislation—section 87 of the Water Industry Act 1991—permits the fluoridation of waters supplies where, following consultation, a district health authority so requests. The health authority must apply in writing to the water undertakers, who may then decide to increase the fluoride content of the water supplied within the area specified in the health authority's application. I am advised that the following water undertakers are currently increasing the concentration of fluoride in some water supplies within their areas in response to such requests:
- Anglian Water Services Ltd.
- Northumbrian Water Ltd.
- North West Water Ltd.
- Severn Trent Water Ltd.
- Thames Water Utilities Ltd.
- East Worcestershire Water Ltd.
- North East Water plc
- South Staffordshire Water plc
Details are not available centrally of water companies which may be considering introducing fluoridation in the future.