§ Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken to implement the Fluoridation Act 1984.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Fluoridation Act 1984 provides that fluoridation of water supplies is a matter for local decision. In the past five years funds have been made available to a number of health authorities to assist with the costs of new fluoridation schemes and to contribute towards the major costs of replacement of outdated plant and equipment.
In the Water Act 1989 provision was made for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health to indemnify any statutory water undertaker against liabilities and costs incurred in connection with anything done by the undertaker for the purpose of increasing the fluoride content of any water supplied by the undertaker.