§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what areas of the United Kingdom have been provided with fluoridation of their water supplies during the past five years; what is the approximate population involved; in what way his Department is involved in schemes; and whether he plans to encourage the greater availability of fluoridated water supplies.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergSince 1978 new fluoridation schemes have come into operation in the following areas of England—no new schemes have been introduced in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland:
- 1. West Midlands—Childswickham, Solihul, Hereford, parts of Coventry and Wolverhampton.
- 2. Hertfordshire—part of Watford.
- 3. Derbyshire—Drum Hill.
- 4. Nottinghamshire—Newark and Southwell.
- 5. Newcastle, Gateshead, Wallsend and part of Northumberland.
The total population served is approximately 800,000 and the Department has made grants from central funds to the health authorities concerned to assist with the initial capital costs. Fluoridation is considered to be a safe and effective method of reducing dental caries, but it remains our view that decisions on implementation should be made by health and water authorities after they have consulted local opinion.