§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what prowess his Department has made in its consideration of the indemnification of water supply companies against claims arising from fluoridation; [146011]
(2) whether his Department will provide equal funding for the presentation of both sides in the event of a local referendum on water fluoridation; [146012]
(3) what guidance his Department has given to strategic health authorities on evaluating public opinion on fluoridation of the water supply. [146013]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonSection 58 of the Water Act 2003 provides for regulations to be made on both the process which strategic health authorities are to follow in order to consult and ascertain opinion on proposals to fluoridate their water supplies and the indemnities to be made available to water undertakers in respect of any liabilities which they may incur in fluoridating water. We plan to make these regulations, which are subject to affirmative resolution, during 2004. Subject to their approval, we will issue guidance to strategic health authorities on their implementation including standards for consultations which ensure that the views of both proponents and opponents of fluoridation are expressed and taken into account.