BOLTON MP David Crausby has called on people to make their feelings on the fluoridation of the region's water supplies clear. The MP for Bolton North East has written to Health Minister John Denham expressing concern over the fluoridation of the water supply without public consultation. Whilst acknowledging the public health benefits of fluoridation, Mr Crausby believes there is widespread opposition in Bolton which ought to be brought to the attention of the Government.

He has already passed on details of a referendum carried out in 1968 in which 27 per cent voted in favour of fluoridation and 73 per cent voted against.

"Judging from my post bag and talking to people about this issue I believe that if we carried out a referendum in Bolton today we would have a similar result," said Mr Crausby.

"Good sense dictates that major decisions of this nature require some kind of widespread consultation process.

Debate

"For too long, the debate around fluoridation has been debated between the lobbies with the public relegated to the sidelines.

"The Government has made it clear that it wants to promote fluoridation to benefit the nation's health and I have no argument with that.

"However, if we are to act and act fairly, we must engage the public in debate. What concerns me is that the public should decide what is artificially added to their drinking water," added Mr Crausby.

Now, in an effort to make the views of Bolton clear Mr Crausby is asking those with a view on fluoridation to write to him.

All letters should be marked fluoridation and be sent to David Crausby, MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA.

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