§ Mr. Masonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent the Royal Air Force has been making rain by cloud seeding; what attempts there have been to relieve areas of drough; and to what extent the Royal Air Force is to be available to assist areas badly in need of rain.
Mr. WardSome experiments in cloud seeding have recently been carried out from R.A.F. aircraft in the course of normal cloud flying training. The experiments were controlled by the Meteorological Office and have taken place over an area where any positive results might have a practical as well as an experimental value. It is, however, not yet possible to say whether any significant increase in rainfall can be achieved, and in consequence the last part of the Question does not arise.