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The Metropolitan Water Board replied that as there was yet no unanimity in
the views of local health authorities in the Board's area, it was not considered that
the time was opportune for the Board to decide upon their policy in this important
matter.
In October this year Circular 15/65 was received from the Ministry of Health
stating that the Government's view that a water supply authority has the power
under English law to add fluoride to the water it supplies has been considerably
strengthened by a recent decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
In the Minister's view fluoridation is now an established and well proven public
health measure which confers benefit to dental health greatly exceeding the cost of
introducing it. He is convinced that it is completely safe, and hopes that all local
authorities will take steps to make arrangements for its introduction.
The Minister will indemnify local health authorities or statutory water undertakers
against any costs or damages in consequence of any legal proceedings herein,
and any expenditure incurred in connection with the maintenance of equipment if
Councils are prevented by legal proceedings from carrying out their arrangements.
In November, the Council resolved that the Metropolitan Water Board be
informed that this Council are of the opinion that fluoridation should be introduced
as soon as possible.
The Board replied that to date only six London Boroughs had agreed to
fluoridation. It is now known that the great majority of London Boroughs favour
fluoridation.
This is how the matter stands at present, but I am sure that fluoridation of
public water supplies will ultimately be accepted practice throughout the country.
In the meantime, a considerable amount of preventable dental caries will afflict the
younger generation.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Under Section 179 of the Public Health Act, 1936, a local authority may
arrange for the provision of health education in its area. Proposals made by the
Middlesex County Council under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act,
1946, which were adopted by this authority, provide for health education for the
area in consultation and co-operation with the Central Council for Health Education
and for agreed payments to the Council in consideration of its services.
The report of the Joint Committee of the Central and Scottish Health Services
Councils under the Chairmanship of Lord Cohen was published in 1964. It listed
no fewer than 43 recommendations. While most of the recommendations dealt with
items of detail, the gist of the report is largely contained in recommendation 19,
which is:—
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