To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures exist to ensure that water fluoridation is introduced only where there is clear public support for such a measure.

It is for district health authorities to make decisions to apply to water undertakers to increase the fluoride content in the drinking water supplied by them. Section 89 of the Water Industry Act 1991 lays down procedures to be followed by district health authorities. The procedures include wide publication of proposals and consulting each of the local authorities whose areas are involved.