§ 11. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will ensure that weather-affected industries as well as agriculture are made aware of the potential savings that can be obtained by using the local short-term and countrywide long-term forecasts of the Meteorological Office.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Merlyn Rees)Yes, Sir. The Meteorological Office does publicise the economies which such industries can achieve by the 418 use of meteorological services adapted to their needs. A recent study suggests that the benefits may outweigh the cost in various industries by anything from 10:1 to 200:1. Already further steps are being considered to publicise the work of the Meteorological Office and the recommendations in this respect of the Third Report from the Estimates Committee on the Meteorological Services will also be considered.
§ Mr. TilneySince, with only 80 per cent. accuracy, the results are as good as the hon. Gentleman said, may I ask him to make certain that builders and other industries throughout Great Britain realise the potential benefit to our economy?
§ Mr. ReesThere is already the closest contact with the building industry. We are in touch with the Ministry of Technology and we will be in touch with the D.E.A., and through the "Little Neddies", to make our impact far greater than it already is.