Written question asked by Earl Baldwin of Bewdley (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008.

Fluoridation

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the introduction of water fluoridation to all households in an urban area is not considered by the chief dental officer in his guidance letter of February 2008 (Gateway 9361), Appendix 2, Section 7, to be a ““substantial development of the health service”” or a ““substantial variation in the provision of such services”” within Section 4 of the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/3048); and whether they have taken legal advice on this matter.

Answer: Our advice is that the health service referred to in Regulation 4 of the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 is the health service which the Secretary of State for Health has a continuing duty to promote under Section 1(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006. However, the fluoridation of water supplies is an activity or service undertaken by the water undertaker under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is not a service under the NHS Act.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6128; 705 c165-6WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Fluoridation
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Fluoridation
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Written questions
House of Lords; Fluoridation
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Fluoridation
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Drinking water Fluoride
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk