§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he received the communication from the hon. Member for Newham, North-West dated 18th May about the voluntary purchase of fluoride tablets as against compulsory mass medication by fluoridation of water supplies; why it took him until 12th July to reply; what was contained in this reply which could not have been sent weeks earlier to the hon. Member; and whether he will expedite his replies in future.
§ Mr. MoyleMy hon. Friend wrote on 8th May about the effect of the Medicines (Prescription Only) Order 1977 on the sale or supply of fluoride tablets. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State replied on 18th May, seven working days after receipt of the letter, explaining the provisions of the order. He wrote again on 12th July, not in reply to any further letter but to inform my hon. Friend of a subsequent decision that fluoride tablets and some other dental fluoride supplements would continue to be available from pharmacies without the need for a dental or medical prescription. I therefore do not accept the premise of my hon. Friend's Question.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, now that fluoride and sodium fluoride tablets can be obtained over the counter at pharmacies by those who require them, without prescription, if he will now take action to prevent mass compulsory medication of the water supplies where people who have moral and medical objections to compulsory use of fluoride in their water supplies are now compelled to use fluoridated water.
§ Mr. MoyleNo. The decision to lift the proposed "prescription only" requirement does not affect my reply to my hon. Friend on 27th February.—Vol. 945, c.44.]