Met Office forecasting in Aberdeen is secured - but MPs press for no cuts to current operations

3.40.16pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 10th Nov 2005

Gordon Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce today led a cross-party group of Scottish MPs to meet the Minister in charge of the Met Office to discuss the 'alternative option' put forward for the future of Aberdeen Met Office.

Commenting on the meeting, Malcolm Bruce said:

"We had a constructive meeting with the Minister this morning and it seems clear that the future of weather forecasting in Aberdeen is secure. What remains in question is the scale of the operation to be retained.

"We impressed upon the Minister our belief that the best interests of the Met Office would be served by retaining the current forecasting operation at Aberdeen as this would achieve the maximum commercial potential of the Aberdeen Weather Centre. We also stressed that the transfer of any public service provision from Aberdeen to Met Office Headquarters in Exeter would weaken the services Aberdeen currently supplies at such a high standard.

"My colleagues and I feel the case for maintaining Aberdeen Met Office in its current form is overwhelmingly strong and will make further representation to the Minister on this basis."