HC Deb 07 July 1999 vol 334 cc567-9W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list his Department's reviews of the effects on health of fluoridation of water; and what have been the results of these reviews. [89825]

c Warfarin (5mg) tablets per 500 and (d) chlordiazepoxide (10 mg) capsules per 500 between May 1998 and May 1999; and if he will make a statement. [89692]

Mr Denham

The information requested is given in the table.

Mr. Denham

Relevant reviews conducted by, for, or with the participation of, the Department of Health or its predecessors, are as followsForrest J. R., Longwell J., Stones H. H., Thomson A. M. (1953). The fluoridation of domestic water supplies in North America as a means of controlling dental caries. Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO), London. Ministry of Health, Scottish Office, Ministry of Housing and Local Government (1962). The conduct of the fluoridation studies in the United Kingdom and the results achieved after five years. Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No. 105. HMSO, London. Department of Health and Social Security, Scottish Office, Welsh Office, Ministry of Housing and Local Government (1969). The fluoridation studies in the United Kingdom and the results achieved after eleven years. Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects No. 122. HMSO, London. Working Party on Fluoridation of Water and Cancer (1985). Fluoridation of water and cancer: a review of the epidemiological evidence. HMSO, London. Evaluations by the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, in 1983, 1984 and 1990. Evaluations by the Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990 and 1995. Medical Research Council Working Group on fluoridation of drinking water-link with osteoporosis, 1993. Panel on Dietary Reference Values of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (1994). Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41; sixth impression. HMSO, London. Subgroup on Bone Health, Working Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (1998). Nutrition and bone health: with particular reference to calcium and Vitamin D. Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 49. The Stationery Office, London.

In addition, the Department and the Medical Research Council support research as appropriate. The Department also monitors and assesses the extensive published research conducted by others, and the many reviews commissioned by other groups, including the World Health Organisation. We agree with the conclusions of Sir Donald Acheson's Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health (conducted for the Department, and published in 1998) that Fluoridation of the public water supply has been shown to reduce caries … [and] … should decrease inequalities in dental caries … The balance of scientific evidence is against harmful effects on health of fluoridation.

However, we are not complacent and in the Public Health White Paper published on 6 July we announced that we have commissioned an up-to-date scientific review of fluoride and health. If the review confirms that the health benefits of fluoridation are considerable and that there are no significant risks, we intend to introduce an obligation on water companies to fluoridate where there is strong local support for doing so.