§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase the availability of fluoridated water supplies throughout the country.
§ Mr. MaloneThe Government remain convinced that fluoridation of drinking water is a safe and effective public health measure and will continue to support the introduction of such schemes, particularly where the dental health of the population is known to be poor. In 1994, the Government agreed to help with the capital funding of seven schemes in the north of England which would bring fluoridation to 1.7 million more people.
Decisions about fluoridation should, however, continue to be taken at a local level.