To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will reconsider the Meteorological Office plans to withdraw its (a) mountaincall and (b) mountainfax services from the general public and mountain rescue services; (67147)

(2) what specialist services the meteorological service plans to provide for (a) mountain rescue services and (b) hillwalkers once the mountaincall and mountainfax services are withdrawn. (67148)

[holding answer 2 May 2006]: The same meteorological information previously provided by the mountaincall and mountainfax commercial services is now provided through a public service available free of charge on the Met. Office website. The service is also available through the Met. Office customer centre.