§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what peer presented research his Department has examined in assessing the potential benefit in the proposed addition of fluoride to drinking water; [136406]
(2) what other countries' drinking water supply systems were (a) investigated and (b) visited by his Department when preparing proposals to add fluoride to drinking water. [136407]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonIn 1999, the Department commissioned the University of York to carry out an up to date expert scientific review of fluoride and health. "A Systematic Review of Water Fluoridation" published in September 2000, reported that fluoridating water reduces the number of children with tooth decay by 15 per cent. The review identified 3,246 research studies from 30 different countries, but was critical of the quality of the research available. Accordingly, the Department asked the Medical Research Council (MRC) how the evidence base could be strengthened and the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Dental Officer are advising Ministers on the implementation of the MRCs recommendations. We have already commissioned a study on the absorption of fluoride, which has now been completed and is subject to peer review.