Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 4 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 July 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Friday, 7 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of the report his Department commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; if the work being undertaken is (a) new research or (b) a review of existing research; and if animal testing forms a part of this research; when he expects (a) to receive and (b) to publish the report which his Department commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the cost was of the report his Department commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; if the work being undertaken is (a) new research or (b) a review of existing research; and if animal testing forms a part of this research; [129659] (2) when he expects (a) to receive and (b) to publish the report which his Department commissioned the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York to prepare, into the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. [129684] Yvette Cooper: The contract for the review was for £79,648. The review has been considering existing research rather than undertaking new research. To structure its approach the centre has concentrated on primary research on the effect of fluoride on populations which have been exposed to fluoridated water. The report is due to reach the Department later this month and should be published shortly afterwards. We will take decisions on the way forward after having considered the report.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 353 c334-5W;353 c332-3W; 129659;129684
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Costs Animal experiments Health hazards Drinking water Publications Water Water supply Safety Research Fluoride Water treatment
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk