53. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the Council of Europe Recommendation No. 389 on East-West relations including suggestions for joint scientific research with the Soviet bloc, including meteorological problems, if he will investigate the possibility of the construction of a freely-floating balloon for circulation in the upper atmosphere capable of transmitting to earth information about the weather above all parts of the globe.
§ Mr. RidsdaleA plan for the widespread use of freely floating balloons for meteorological purposes was recently put forward by United States scientists.
This is currently being studied by the international agencies concerned and is expected to receive attention at the meeting of the World Meteorological Organisation which the Director-General of the Meteorological Office is now attending. The question of collaboration by the United Kingdom will receive careful attention.