HC Deb 22 June 1938 vol 337 cc1072-4
61. Mr. Markham

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many meteorological stations in this country now take accurate observations of radiation and humidity; and whether it is proposed to add to them in the near future?

Captain Balfour

As regards solar radiation, continuous records are maintained at Kew, South Kensington and Rothamsted and occasional records at Eskdalemuir. No increase is under consideration. Humidity observations are part of the ordinary routine at all meteorological office stations and it is not intended to increase the number of stations except as part of the expansion of the meteorological service to meet both Service and civil aviation requirements.

Mr. Markham

Does not the Under-Secretary consider it necessary to increase the number of these stations? Is it not necessary that more adequate records should be taken of relative and absolute humidity for other purposes?

Captain Balfour

I will bear in mind the point raised by the hon. Member in consultation with the experts of my Department.

62. Mr. Markham

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the present staff of the Meteorological Office is adequate for its duties; and what numbers are at present engaged upon weather forecasting?

Captain Balfour

As the result of the expansion of the Royal Air Force and of civil aviation a very large increase in the staff of the Meteorological Office has been called for, and is being met as rapidly as suitable personnel can be recruited and trained. There are at present 87 persons engaged on making day-to-day weather forecasts and 13 under training. These numbers will be increased during the next 12 months.

Mr. Markham

Does the proposed expansion give sufficient time for the senior staff so that they can devote adequate time to their research duties?

Captain Balfour

We recognise that these duties make a heavy strain on the senior members of the meteorological staff, but I am told that the matter can be dealt with adequately without further expansion.

Mr. Markham

Is it not a fact that the senior staff have been for years swamped with routine work and that the present expansion does not give an adequate staff to deal with research problems?

Captain Balfour

The present expansion aims at training other experts for the work in order to reduce the routine work that has to be done by the senior staff.

63. Mr. Markham

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that weather forecasts for a fortnight or longer are now being made both in this country and in Germany and have attained a high percentage of accuracy; and whether he will consider taking steps to ensure that the present forecasts from the Meteorological Office are supplemented by comparable long-distance forecasts?

Captain Balfour

I am aware of the long-range weather forecasts being attempted by various methods in many different countries. These efforts are being carefully studied by the Meteorological Office, but so far none of the methods has attained the accuracy which would justify the issue of such forecasts in this country.

Mr. Markham

Is it not a fact that there is 95 per cent. accuracy of forecast made in this country and published in one of our leading newspapers, and would it not be advisable that the Meteorological Office should consider alternative methods of its own?

Captain Balfour

Long-range forecasts have been studied for many years in India and Germany where the work has been encouraging, but it is not convincing yet. Long-range forecasts in this country, with our changeable climate would be more difficult than in any other country, and it is best to await the result of investigations which we are now pursuing.

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