HC Deb 25 May 1995 vol 260 c772W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which water companies add fluoride to the water supply; and which have chosen not to do so. [26572]

Mr. Malone

United Kingdom companies which are currently operating—or have at some point operated— fluoridation plant include:

  • Severn Trent Water
  • South Staffordshire Water
  • East Worcestershire Waterworks Company (now part of severn Trent)
  • North East Water
  • North West Water
  • Welsh Water
  • Yorkshire Water
  • Anglian Water
  • Colne Valley Water Company

It is for a health authority, following extensive public consultation, to submit a request to the water undertakers to fluoridate the water supply on behalf of the local population. Yorkshire Water decided recently not to agree to fluoridate the regions's water supply. The fluoridation of water supplies accords with Government policy and underpins the objectives of the oral health strategy.