HC Deb 10 July 1991 vol 194 c412W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman)Official Report, 27 June, column 547, for what reason Yorkshire Water ceased to supply fluoridated water on 31 October 1989.

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 9 July 1991]: Yorkshire Water informed Huddersfield district health authority on 18 April 1989 that it was withdrawing from the agreement to fluoridate water supplied by the Longwood and Holmbridge/Digley water treatment works because at the time agreement had not yet been reached with Government about the wording of a suitable guarantee/ indemnity against any costs or liabilities which water undertakers might incur. Subsequently the water industry accepted the form of indemnity which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was empowered to provide under the Water Act 1989.