Houses of Parliament

Fluoride
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on the provision by his Department of funding for fluoridation to strategic health authorities where consultations show local communities not to be in favour of fluoridation; [56567]

(2) on what date funding by his Department for fluoridation in pursuance of the announcement of February 2008 ceased to be available; and what plans he has for the availability of funds for fluoridation in 2011-12. [56568]

Anne Milton: The central allocation for funding the capital costs of fluoridation schemes, announced by the previous Government in February 2008, covered the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011. It is now for strategic health authorities and the primary care trusts that would be affected to agree how expenditure on fluoridation can be provided for from the overall allocations they receive for capital and revenue expenditure.

Fluoride: Southampton
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department made funding for fluoridation available to South Central Strategic Health Authority for use in Southampton and parts of Totton in the period from April 2008 to March 2011. [56566]

Anne Milton: In November 2006, the Department allocated £35,000 to South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) to commission consultants to conduct a feasibility study of fluoridating Southampton. The study found that, in addition to 160,000 residents of Southampton, the water distribution system also served approximately 35,000 people living in parts of Eastleigh, Totton and Netley in south-west Hampshire. The SHA has funded subsequent expenditure on the proposed fluoridation scheme from its own resources.