View report page

Fluoridation of Water Supplies
In the latter part of 1965 the Council considered the advice given in Ministry of
Health Circular 15/65 on the subject of fluoridation and passed a resolution in which
it approved the addition of fluoride to the public water supplies in the borough. Water
undertakers serving the borough were notified of the Council's decision and, in
accordance with the Minister's approval under Section 28 of the National Health
Service Act, 1946, were asked to make the necessary arrangements.
In an area such as Greater London with its 33 local health authorities and with
public water supplies provided by eight separate water undertakings, agreement on
fluoridation by all parties concerned has proved difficult. The problem was considered
by the London Boroughs' Committee in May, 1966, when it was reported that an
approach had been made to the Minister of Health with a view to the introduction of
legislation enabling fluoridation of water supplies to be directed nationally. The
Council supported the views of the London Boroughs' Committee. The Minister,
however, remained of the opinion that every possible step should be taken to secure
fluoridation by the use of existing powers and that the taking of further powers at
present would be premature.
During 1967 this position has remained unchanged. No general agreement has
been reached and the Government is still not Drepared to introduce legislation.
91