§ 26 and 27. Mr. Greyasked the Secretary of State for Air (1)his intentions with regard to experiments on artificial rainmaking in the Durham and Northumberland area;
(2)when the last experiments on artificial rain-making took place; and if he will make a statement as to the result.
Mr. WardThe series of experiments started on Salisbury Plain towards the end of 1955 is continuing, but it is as yet too early to assess results. I can say, however, that the effect, if any, has been small. We do not now plan to extend the experiments to hill country in the north of England, as further examination has indicated that the results could not be expected to differ significantly from those obtained on Salisbury Plain.
§ Mr. GreyIs the Secretary of State aware that, despite the heavy rainfall we have had in certain parts of Durham recently, the reservoir levels are still in a pretty bad way, and that rationing is still very much to the fore? If experiments in rain making are to take place, surely the catchment area of Durham would be a most suitable place?
Mr. WardMy information is that the results are unlikely to be any different from those on Salisbury Plain, because the area in which the hon. Gentleman is 406 interested simply is not high enough to make any difference.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsWould not my right hon. Friend agree that on the occasion of the Durham Miners' Gala on Saturday of last week there was rather too much rain for the convenience of most people?
§ Mr. GreyThis is rather too serious a matter for a point like that put by the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams). May I ask the Minister what conclusive proof he has that experiments in this catchment area would not be more successful?
Mr. WardAs the hon. Gentleman knows, when he raised this point earlier we looked into it very carefully. It is the result of studies made since he raised the matter that has brought us to this conclusion.