House of Lords written question – answered at on 26 March 2001.
Lord Marsh
Crossbench
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will set out the current situation relating to the proposals for a substantial increase in glider movements out of RAF Upper Rissington and the estimated timetable for an end to current uncertainty.
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
Minister of State (Defence Procurement), Ministry of Defence
RAF Little Rissington is one of a number of Ministry of Defence sites under consideration as a new location for the future delivery of Joint Service Adventurous Training (Gliding) following the planned closure of RAF Bicester in December 2001. A detailed investigation into alternative sites is under way and will be completed within the next few months.
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