Met Office

House of Lords written question – answered at on 16 July 2007.

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Photo of Lord Hunt of Chesterton Lord Hunt of Chesterton Labour

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have considered the implications of the possible discontinuance of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts in the light of the current role which the United Kingdom is playing in climate change negotiations at the United Nations and the G8.

Photo of Lord Drayson Lord Drayson Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Minister of State (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) (Business and Regulatory Reform), Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Defence Equipment and Support) (also Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform)

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) has developed useful capabilities, which we value, particularly in medium-range weather forecasting. However, ECMWF does not have a climate prediction capability.

The UK's leading role in tackling climate change at an international level is strongly supported by the world-leading climate research and prediction work of the Met Office Hadley Centre.

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House of Lords

The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.

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