HC Deb 11 March 1953 vol 512 cc1282-3
43. Mr. Stokes

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air in what terms the Meteorological Office recorded the storm which took place on the night of 31st January-1st February; and whether the wave that swept down the East Coast was described as tidal.

Mr. Ward

The storm was recorded by the Meteorological Office as a severe north-west to north gale. Winds of 78 miles an hour were registered in Shetland, and 59 miles an hour was reached or exceeded over a wide area extending from Scotland to the Dutch coast. Gusts of over 100 miles an hour were recorded in Scotland.

As regards the second part of the Question, the Meteorological Office does not record the behaviour of the sea.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask the Minister if his reply means that the storm which took place on that occasion was a gale?

Mr. Ward

I have said exactly what was announced, and that was, "a severe north-west to north gale."

Mr. Stokes

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware of the importance of arriving at a decision on this matter, because until it is decided whether it was a gale or not, the Government cannot decide what they are going to do about compensation?

Mr. Ward

I am afraid that I cannot decide that now.