HC Deb 16 October 1968 vol 770 cc120-1W
50. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what special investigation is now being carried out by the Meteorological Office so that in future advance warning may be given of such abnormal conditions as precipitated the floods in the West Country and in the South-East in 1968.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

On both occasions the Meteorological Office gave as much warning as was technically possible. The Office has a continuing programme of mathematical and physical research to help improve quantitative forecasting of rainfall, but this is inevitably a long-term project. The heavy rainfall in July and September 1968 is being studied as part of the programme.

51. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what special terms will now be used in weather forecasts so as to warn the public of flood conditions arising from very heavy rainfall, such as four inches in 48 hours.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Meteorological Office is not responsible for forecasting floods, because weather forecasts alone cannot provide a suitable basis for flood warnings. The Office is, however, considering means of strengthening the impact of "flash" warnings of severe weather in order to ensure that listeners are fully alerted.