§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what warning was given by the Meteorological Office of the snowfalls which occurred across Southern England on 17th March; and why no emergency warnings were broadcast of the hazards to transport.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownDuring the evening of 15th March forecasts issued by the Meteorological Office referred to 455W heavy wintry showers but on this occasion it was not thought that there would be widespread accumulations of snow except on high ground in the West. However, a small intense secondary depression developed in an unexpected manner and caused falls of snow to be more persistent and more widespread than expected.
Warnings of accumulations of snow were issued to various authorities, including the BBC motoring unit, on 16th March from 3 a.m. onwards.