§ 42. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any intention of issuing a direction to the Severn-Trent Water Authority to vary that authority's decision not to add fluoride to the West Midlands' water supplies; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI have no powers to give such a direction. As I have made clear on a number of occasions, I have encouraged water authorities to comply with requests made by area health authorities to add fluoride to water supplies, where it is technically possible to do so.