§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about alleged links between the existence of aluminium in water supplies and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease; if he will list those Scottish water authorities which add aluminium to their water supply; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI understand that research about Alzheimer's disease is being undertaken at the Medical Research Council's environmental epidemiology unit at Southampton, but that its results have not yet been published. The research will be assessed by medical advisers and appropriate action will be taken if it is needed. The Government have adopted the standard for aluminium set by the EC drinking water directive. Most water supplies comply, and where they do not water undertakers have programmes of remedial action. Aluminium compounds are widely used as an aid to coagulation in the treatment of drinking water. Most, if not all, Scottish water authorities use them at some of their treatment works.