43. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the weather forecast broadcast at 5.55 p.m. on Saturday 13th January did not foretell the rapid thaw with temperatures 665W rising up to 40° Fahrenheit by midnight, particularly in the south-eastern area.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:At 5.55 p.m. the Meteorological Office forecast a slow thaw for south-east England and at 10.15 p.m. a rapid thaw. The change occurred because high pressure over central Europe unexpectedly declined, causing warm air to accelerate from the west and hasten the thaw by a few hours.