§ Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Office for radio and television at 17.55 on Thursday, 7th December;
(2)what further special warnings were given by his Department by means of radio and television during the evening of Thursday, 7th December, to warn the community to expect the arctic conditions of Friday, 8th December;
(3)if he will institute an inquiry into the weather forecasts made available to the general public by the Meteorological Office prior to the arctic conditions of Friday, 8th December, with a view to providing more warning to the community.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWeather forecasts issued by radio and television at about 6 p.m. on 7th December referred to very cold weather with severe frost at night. In most of England snow showers were expected to produce mainly light falls, but in North Scotland and in some western districts of England and Wales heavy showers or longer periods of snow were forecast.
Warnings of moderate or heavy snowfall over Wales, the Midlands, South-West England and parts of South-East England were broadcast on Television Wales and West about 11.10 p.m. on 7th December and on radio at midnight and at 2 a.m. on 8th December.
The Meteorological Office is constantly trying to improve the range and accuracy of its forecasts and to ensure that they are disseminated as widely and promptly as possible. Events such as those of 7th and 8th December are, of course, examined and any lessons learnt are taken into account for the future.
§ Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Defence what warnings and at what times the Meteorological Office issued to local authorities and public utilities before the onset of the severe weather conditions of Friday, 8th December.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWarning of snow showers was issued to local authorities and public utilities which subscribe to the Meteorological Office warning services during the afternoon of 7th December. Warning of heavy snow over Wales, the Midlands and Southern England was given to the subscribers concerned between about 11 p.m. on 7th and 2 a.m. on 8th December, except for a few to whom the message could not be passed until between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
§ Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Defence what instruction he has given to the Meteorological Office on the issue of weather forecasts to the Press; if he is aware that forecasts issued by the Meteorological Office to the Press prior to the severe conditions of Friday, 8th December gave no indication of the severity of those conditions; and if he will hold an inquiry into this case with a view to providing more accurate information and warning through the Press to the general public.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Meteorological Office issues forecasts to the Press four times a day at hours intended to suit the majority of newspapers. Forecasts can be obtained at other times on request. The forecasts issued on 7th December warned of snow showers of varying intensity and very cold weather in all areas. The forecast issued to the Press at 0015 hours on 8th December for the period 0600 to 2400 hours on that day warned of heavy snow in Southern England. There is a problem involved in the interval between the issue of forecasts to the Press and their publication, which cannot be wholly eliminated, but the Meteorological Office co-operates with the Press in trying to minimise it. The Office makes a practice of reviewing events such as the recent snowfall to see whether further improvements in services to the public can be made.