§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) by what authority area health authorities instruct water authorities to add fluoride to public water supplies;
(2) what control by democratically elected bodies is exercised over those who are responsible for deciding whether fluoride should be added to public water supplies.
§ Mr. MarksThe initiative on proposals for adding fluoride to water supplies rests with area health authorities, who make requests accordingly to the water authorities. The majority of the members of water authorities are appointed by local authorities.