HC Deb 23 March 1989 vol 149 cc772-4W
Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what other countries in the European Community fluoridate their public drinking water.

Mr. Moynihan

Fluoridation of public water supplies is permissible in a number of European Community countries and is mandatory in Ireland. It is carried out in the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will monitor the safety of fluoride levels in the public drinking water after privatisation.

Mr. Moynihan

Water undertakers will continue to monitor fluoride levels in drinking water. The drinking water inspectorate to be established under the Water Bill will ensure that water undertakers are monitoring water quality consistently and satisfactorily and are complying with the standards set down in regulations made under the Bill. Where fluoride is added to the supply at the request of health authorities, the health authorities will continue to liaise with water undertakers to ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement between them.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which have indicated to water authorities opposition to the proposals to fluoridate the public drinking water in their area.

Mr. Moynihan

This information is not held by the Department.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which water authorities have reduced the fluoridation of their water supplies since the Water Fluoridation Act 1985.

Mr. Moynihan

Severn Trent water authority has stopped fluoridating water supplies in the South Derbyshire area because of technical difficulties in the operation of its plants.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which water authorities have firm proposals to fluoridate their water; and what proportion of the total population will be served as a result.

Mr. Moynihan

I am not aware of any water authorities which currently have firm proposals to fluoridate their water.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which water authorities are currently fluoridating their drinking water supplies; and what proportion of the population now drinks fluoridated water.

Mr. Moynihan

The water authorities that are currently fluoridating one or more of their drinking water supplies are: Northumbrian, North West, Yorkshire, Severn Trent, Anglian, Thames and Welsh. Approximately 10 per cent. of the population of England and Wales receives fluoridated water. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has supplied information in respect of the Welsh Water Authority.

Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the results of the Water Fluoridation Act 1985.

Mr. Moynihan

The Water Fluoridation Act 1985 is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. My Department has made no assessment of the results of the Act.