§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when rainfall figures were available between 2 and 7 May 1986.
§ Mr. SainsburyA limited amount of raw raingauge data reaches the Meteorological Office within a few hours of the rain falling, but this represents only some 3 per cent. of the total network coverage providing records. The first maps of estimated surface rainfall for the period in question, based on radar data, were available during May 1986. Maps of daily rainfall, based on partly quality controlled data from some 4,000 sites equipped with raingauges, began to be supplied by the Meteorological Office in late July 1986.