Fluoridation (Hansard, 7 July 2000)

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the cost was of the report his Department commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; if the work being undertaken is(a) new research or (b) a review of existing research; and if animal testing forms a part of this research; [129659]
(2) when he expects (a) to receive and (b) to publish the report which his Department commissioned the National 333W Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. [129684]

§ Yvette Cooper
The contract for the review was for £79,648. The review has been considering existing research rather than undertaking new research. To structure its approach the centre has concentrated on primary research on the effect of fluoride on populations which have been exposed to fluoridated water. The report is due to reach the Department later this month and should be published shortly afterwards. We will take decisions on the way forward after having considered the report.

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the British Fluoridation Society; and what contributions were made to the Society by the Government in each year since 1975–76. [129658]

§ Yvette Cooper
The main role the Department funds the British Fluoridation Society to fulfil, is to collect and maintain evidence on the effects of fluoridation. Our support for the British Fluoridation Society since 1975–76 has been:

£

Year Amount

1975–76 4,500

1976–77 5,500

1977–78 5,500

1978–79 5,500

1979–80 5,500

1980–81 11,000

1981–82 14,000

1982–83 15,000

1983–84 15,000

1984–85 15,000

1985–86 30,000

1986–87 20,000

1987–88 20,000

1988–89 30,000

1989–90 31,000

1990–91 45,784

1991–92 51,491

1992–93 56,000

1993–94 62,247

1994–95 63,000

1995–96 74,000

1996–97 117,609

1997–98 90,000

1998–99 76,000

1999–2000 78,000

£
Year	Amount
1975–76	4,500
1976–77	5,500
1977–78	5,500
1978–79	5,500
1979–80	5,500
1980–81	11,000
1981–82	14,000
1982–83	15,000
1983–84	15,000
1984–85	15,000
1985–86	30,000
1986–87	20,000
1987–88	20,000
1988–89	30,000
1989–90	31,000
1990–91	45,784
1991–92	51,491
1992–93	56,000
1993–94	62,247
1994–95	63,000
1995–96	74,000
1996–97	117,609
1997–98	90,000
1998–99	76,000
1999–2000	78,000