§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent instructions or guidance his Department has issued to Scotland's(a) health boards (b) water authorities relating to the fluoridation of public water supplies. [28614]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonGuidance about the procedural and technical aspects of schemes to fluoridate the public water supplies was issued to health boards and water authorities in June 1991. The "Oral Health Strategy for Scotland", which was published in December 1995, described the changes introduced by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. I have arranged for copies of these documents to be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from (i) Scottish health boards and (ii) Scotland's water authorities during the last 18 months relating to the fluoridation of public water supplies. [28611]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNone.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has carried out into the fluoridation of public water supplies and the benefits and disadvantages of this policy. [28619]
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAlthough no specific research has been carried out by the Scottish Office, the extensive research undertaken over many years in the United Kingdom and elsewhere has helped inform our view that fluoridation of the public water supplies constitutes a safe and effective means of reducing tooth decay.