HC Deb 28 October 1953 vol 518 cc2784-6
31. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost of the Meteorological Office during each of the last three years; and what steps he is taking to improve the accuracy of the weather forecasts in view of the present scale of expenditure.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)

The cost of the Meteorological Office in each of the last three years has been of the order of £2 million. My noble Friend is satisfied that the expenditure was fully justified. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the preparation of forecasts is only one aspect of the Meteorological Office's work. The great majority of forecasts are substantially correct, but constant efforts are being made to improve forecasting accuracy still further.

Brigadier Medlicott

Having regard to the kind of weather we get, is there much point in spending so much money on being able to tell in advance what it is going to be like? Could my hon. Friend also tell me why, within the limits of this fairly considerable expenditure, it is not possible to develop one service which is of great value, and that is the long-range weather forecast for farmers?

Mr. Ward

On the first point, I agree that meteorology is not an exact science, and it is very unlikely that we shall ever get 100 per cent. accuracy in our forecasts, but, in spite of this, successive Governments have come to the conclusion that the work of the Meteorological Office is well worth the money spent on it. Most of the complaints which come in relate to the general forecasts issued by the B.B.C. Specific requests for information over small areas are increasing year by year.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Under-Secretary take it from me that we are delighted to hear that he realises that meteorology is not an exact science? Can he tell us what effect there will be on the accuracy of forecasts as a result of the withdrawal of American weather ships in the Atlantic, and what representations the Government have made to the United States Government against this abandonment of an extremely efficient international organisation?

Mr. Ward

Yes, Sir. The withdrawal of these ships will, I am afraid, adversely affect the general weather forecasts put out by the B.B.C. At the moment the Meteorological Office is conducting a detailed appreciation of the effects of the withdrawal, and the United Kingdom is considering what representations to make about the withdrawal of these ships and what should be done in an attempt to ensure the continuance of the ocean weather ship scheme.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Under-Secretary say what representations we have made? Surely the United States Government notified us that they were going to withdraw the ships?

Mr. Ward

May I have notice of that?

Brigadier Medlicott

Will the Minister look further into the question of long range forecasts for agriculture, which I can assure him were of real value?

Mr. Ward

Yes, Sir.

33. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many meteorological officers have the duty of conducting a post mortem on the previous day's weather forecast, with a view to discovering in what respects, and why, the weather differed from that forecast.

Mr. Ward

The daily meeting held at the Central Forecasting Office at Dunstable to examine the accuracy of the previous day's forecasts is normally attended by eight or nine members of the staff.