HC Deb 24 January 1978 vol 942 cc582-3W
42. Mr. John Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with arrangements that the Meteorological Office have in the event of forecasting the onset of rigorous or hazardous weather conditions and the need to make such information available to all concerned as soon as possible.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Yes. The public is warned of hazardous weather conditions through the routine weather bulletins broadcast several times each day on national and regional radio and television channels and on many local radio stations. In addition the Meteorological Office has a long-standing arrangement with the broadcasting authorities whereby special warnings of severe weather which may inconvenience a large number of people or present a danger to life or extensively to property are broadcast at short notice by the BBC—Radio 2, local radio and television—and by most independent broadcasting companies.

The Meteorological Office also provides by prior arrangement warnings of strong winds, gales, heavy rainfall and other weather hazards to local authorities, regional water authorities, police forces, commercial and industrial undertakings or to any other bodies that may require them.