HL Deb 05 March 1997 vol 578 c138WA
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which research reports they rely on to support (a) the effectiveness and (b) the safety of water fluoridation; and

Whether they study all research findings on fluoridation as they are published worldwide, and, if so, by what means.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

Government advisors on fluoridation regularly monitor the scientific literature and, if required, will evaluate any research likely to be relevant to the safety of water fluoridation.

It is not possible to provide a full list of scientific publications used in support of the Government's policy of water fluoridation, given that the policy is based on advice obtained from a variety of sources, some external to the Department of Health, each with its own area of expertise and source material on fluoridation.