WATER FLUORIDATION

Early day motion 247, tabled 2 December 2002 by Andy Burnham (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 146 members.

That this House notes with concern the strong association between child poverty and severe tooth decay; further notes the wide variations in children's dental health across the country, where in Greater Manchester, over 62 per cent. of 5-year-olds have at least one decayed tooth and 13 per cent. have had teeth extracted, many under general anaesthetic and in Birmingham, by comparison, just 31 per cent. of 5-year-olds have tooth decay and 4 per cent. teeth extracted; believes these differences are explained by the fact that water supplies in Birmingham have been fluoridated since 1964; notes that, despite the health benefits, only 10 per cent. of the United Kingdom population receives a fluoridated water supply; is concerned that over 60 health authorities have undertaken statutory consultations on fluoridation as required by existing legislation and found public support but had requests for fluoridation turned down by water companies; is encouraged by recent reports from the Medical Research Council and Audit Commission underlining the importance of water fluoridation in reducing health inequalities; and calls on the Government to give communities the power to choose water fluoridation by allowing an amendment to the Water Bill and obliging water companies to fluoridate supplies where clear majority want it.

Signatures by party: Labour 110, Labour/Co-operative 12, Conservative 11, Liberal Democrat 10, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.