§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Basingstoke, what is his scientific evidence for his statement that there is no difference between naturally found calcium fluoride and adding hexafluorosilicic acid or disodium hexafluorosilicate. [21136]
§ Mr. MossThere is no evidence to suggest that there is any difference in effect between flouride which occurs naturally in water and that produced by adding either hexaflourosilicic acid or disodium hexaflourosilicate to water.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which(a) health and social services boards, (b) district councils, (c) political parties and (d) other organisations in Northern Ireland have sent representations to his Department (i) recommending and (ii) otherwise supporting, the fluoridation of water in Northern Ireland. [21135]
§ Mr. MossAll four health and social services boards in Northern Ireland have recommended the fluoridation of water supplies for their resident populations. Antrim borough council is the only district council in Northern Ireland to have indicated support for the boards' recommendations.
Information on the views of Northern Ireland political parties and other organisations on fluoridation is not held centrally.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will announce his decision on whether or not to proceed with the fluoridation of water in Northern Ireland. [21137]
§ Mr. MossOn 13 March I announced my decision to turn down requests from health and social services boards for approval to proceed with fluoridation proposals. However, health and social services boards may submit fresh applications in the future.