HC Deb 22 June 1954 vol 529 cc20-1W
Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health whether, before starting a study of fluoridation of water supplies of selected communities, he will obtain base-line information on the incidence of dental caries in children and adults in the selected communities and in comparable communities that can be used as controls; whether he will carry out the suggestions of the mission to the United States of America to determine the present level of ingestion of fluoride by making a survey of fluoride excretion in the urine of representative children and adults of all age groups throughout the country; whether adequate supplies of fluorides in the most suitable form are available; whether machinery has been developed which is considered necessary by the British Mission for the controlled addition of fluorides to water supplies so that there may be adequate safeguards against errors in dosage and any undue exposure of the operating personnel to the materials handled and whether, in asking the Norwich Council to carry out a preliminary project of fluoridation of water supplies, an undertaking was given that the preliminary investigations suggested by the British Mission would be carried out.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3rd June to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirling (Mr. Woodburn) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

On the last part of the Question, the Norwich Council was aware of the investigations proposed.