HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc150-1
23. Mr. John Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the level of accuracy of meteorological forecasts.

Mr. John

Given the present state of scientific knowledge and technical resources, I consider that the forecasts issued by the Met Office have a high level of accuracy.

Mr. Ellis

I thank my hon. Friend for the details he sent me. Does he agree that they show a commendable increase in the accuracy of short-term forecasts as opposed to long-term forecasts? Will he re-examine the criteria on which the accuracy of forecasts is based as, quite frankly, they are unscientific? Will he encourage forecasters to be positive? Phrases like "mainly dry", and "occasional outbreaks of rain which may be prolonged and heavy in certain areas" evade the issue and cannot be wrong.

Mr. John

My hon. Friend can be assured that the Met Office will examine all its procedures as it goes along. It has an international reputation of which it is proud. "Mainly dry and perhaps some rain" expresses the kind of caution to which politicians are accustomed.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Will the Minister explain to his right hon. Friend that if, as I understood him to say, there will be no Defence White Paper until the end of the year, the outlook from these benches will be stormy?

Mr. John

That will be a change from today, when it has been slightly wet.