§ 17. Mr. Markhamasked the Secretary of State for Air by what methods statistics are selected for publication in the Monthly Weather Reports; and on what grounds certain stations are excluded?
Captain BalfourClimatological data for all stations from which reliable daily observations are received are published in the Monthly Weather Report, except where two stations are so close together that publication of the data from both would be superfluous.
§ Mr. MarkhamWould it not be advisable to publish the records of all stations, even though they may be almost adjacent?
Captain BalfourFor 1938 and previous years only a selection of the climatological data from the stations have been published in the monthly weather report, but as a result of a review, a decision was taken in November last year to publish data from all stations from which reliable daily observations are received.
§ 18. Mr. Markhamasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in some southern, and eastern English holiday resorts sunshine records are manipulated; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all information published by the Meteorological Office is accurate?
Captain BalfourIsolated instances of the manipulation of sunshine records have been discovered from time to time. Such manipulation is almost always easy to detect and when detected steps are promptly taken to withhold the daily values from the Press and from official publications and records. No data are published by the Meteorological Office without critical examination.
§ Mr. MarkhamIs it not a fact that the summaries have been published without 1244 any queries in the Official Summaries published by the Meteorological Office and that entirely misleading information has been given to the public?
Captain BalfourNo, Sir, no data are published in the meteorological reports without having been previously examined.
§ Mr. MarkhamIs it not a fact that although it has been examined, the original totals as assessed by the local observers are published without any communication from the Meteorological Office that those totals could also be challenged?
Captain BalfourI do not think that those totals ought to be challenged after have been examined by the Meteorological Office. The instruments and methods of recording at the stations, as well as the results, are examined by officials of the Meteorological Office.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat are the names of these resorts? Are any of them in the Isle of Thanet? Can we have some of the names?