HC Deb 23 January 1968 vol 757 c83W
90. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will ask medical officers of health to report regularly on the amount of lead in the public water supply at different times of day, so that an assessment can be made of possible health hazards there-from.

Mr. Greenwood

In November, 1967, as a result of a letter to the "Lancet", I asked all public water supply undertakings to report to me on the measures they take to guard against water being contaminated by lying in contact with lead pipes and I advised them to work in co-operation with their local medical officers of health.

Over 90 per cent. of the reports have now come in. They reveal no grounds for general concern. But some give too little information and a few suggest that the precautionary measures, including sampling checks, could be improved. The Department are following all these up.

In these circumstances I do not think that reports from all medical officers of health are necessary.