§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost for the years 1978 to 1981 to civil aviation of the services provided by the Meteorological Office.
§ Mr. WigginThe figures are as follows:
Year £ million 1978–79 9.66 1979–80 10.85 1980–81 12.76
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of providing the fully manned Meteorological Office stands at the Offshore International 1980 Exhibition in Brighton and the Europec '80 Exhibition at Earls Court; and what contracts have been signed as a result of commercial contacts made at these exhibitions.
§ Mr. Wiggin£16,300 and £19,900, respectively.
It is not possible to identify contracts stemming directly from these exhibitions since they are not the sort that can be negotiated on the spot.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the detailed basis on which the Meteorological Office charges for pigeon-racing forecasts.
§ Mr. WigginThe charge is to cover the cost of the staff and other effort involved. The current figure is f15–80 per forecast, excluding VAT.
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of providing the forecasting services provided by the Meteorological Office for the Independent Broadcasting Authority and British Broadcasting Corporation.
§ Mr. Wiggin£84,000 and £100,000, respectively. The cost of the BBC national radio forecasts, bulletins and warnings, which are regarded as part of the free public service, was £338,000.