HL Deb 01 February 1979 vol 398 cc439-41WA
Lord ENERGLYN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Chief Medical Officer of Health is of the opinion that the consumption of hard waters is a preventive measure against premature heart diseases.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

I am advised that, while there are indications that people living in hard water areas tend to have less heart disease than those in soft water areas no direct causal line has yet been established. A major study of heart disease in relation to water composition is being carried out by the Medical Research Council in collaboration with the Water Research Centre and it is hoped that the results of this will help clarify the position.