HC Deb 03 November 1976 vol 918 cc628-30W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what processes are reviewed and which bodies are consulted before a decision is made for local water supplies to be fluoridated.

Mr. Moyle

The decision to introduce fluoridation of local water supplies rests solely with the area health authorities for the areas concerned, as part of their responsibilities for preventive health. The bodies to be consulted locally are for each authority to decide but these would include community health councils. Where an area health authority decides on fluoridation it makes a request accordingly to the appropriate regional water authority, which is responsible for deciding on the process to be used and for ensuring that this is approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those towns and areas in the United Kingdom which have naturally fluoridated water supplies up to 1 part per million.

Mr. Moyle

It is not possible to give the information in the form requested, because most places have some fluoride naturally in their drinking water.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the completed research projects conducted in the United Kingdom over the past 10 years into the effects of fluoridated water supplies known to his Department.

Mr. Moyle

The fluoridation studies conducted on behalf of my and other Departments in the United Kingdom were completed within the past 10 years. The reports of the first five and 11 years of these studies, published in 1962 and 1969—Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects Nos. 105 and 122—concluded that fluoridation was a highly effective way of reducing dental decay and was completely safe. Other research conducted in the United Kingdom and abroad has been comprehensively reviewed by the Royal College of Physicians in its report "Fluoride, Teeth and Health"—Pitman Medical 1976—which confirmed the safety and efficacy of fluoridation.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the towns and areas of the United Kingdom which now have artificially fluoridated water supplies, stating the length of time they have had this treatment.

Mr. Moyle

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr.

CITIZENS EMIGRATING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM
Thousands First half
Country of Destination 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975* 1976*
Commonwealth … 140.1 107.3 100.9 112.3 129.3 81.0 n/a
Australia … 80.6 61.7 49.0 47.7 54.0 21.4 n/a
Canada … 23.1 11.9 13.7 23.1 31.8 30.6 n/a
New Zealand … 9.1 10.9 13.5 22.6 25.5 11.3 n/a
African Commonwealth … 14.9 11.5 10.8 8.8 8.8 9.8 n/a
India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka† … 2.3 2.2 4.7 2.4 1.6 1.2 n/a
West Indies … 4.8 4.4 3.5 3.4 3.1 2.2 n/a
Other Commonwealth … 5.4 4.7 5.8 4.3 4.5 4.6 n/a
Foreign … 74.4 63.3 59.0 63.4 69.5 83.1 n/a
European Economic Community ‡ … 19.8 15.8 14.7 21.0 18.3 15.0 n/a
Remainder of Europe § … 7.6 10.1 8.3 8.7 6.8 9.7 n/a
United States of America … 11.7 7.9 8.9 10.1 10.2 10.4 n/a
Remainder of America … 1.8 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.8 2.0 n/a
South Africa … 23.7 19.4 18.3 11.2 19.5 27.1 n/a
Pakistan† … — — — 1.7 1.3 2.0 n/a
Other Foreign … 9.7 9.0 7.7 9.8 11.7 16.9 n/a
All Countries … 214.5 170.6 159.9 175.7 198.8 164.1 65.4
n/a = Not available.
* Provisional.
† Pakistan is included with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in years to 1972 and in Foreign countries from 1973.
‡ Excludes the Irish Republic.
§ Denmark is included in Remainder of Europe in years to 1972 and in EEC from 1973.

Note: In the International Passenger Survey an emigrant is defined as a person who, haying lived in the United Kingdom for a year or more, intends to live abroad for at least a year. Emigrants to Irish Republic are excluded.

Bowden) on 4th March. —[Vol. 906, c. 733–4.]