House of Lords written question – answered at on 26 March 2001.
Lord Marsh
Crossbench
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will estimate the level of glider movements from RAF Upper Rissington in the months May to September 2001 inclusive.
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
Minister of State (Defence Procurement), Ministry of Defence
The No. 637 Volunteer Gliding School, currently based at RAF Little Rissington, is programmed to undertake approximately 4,000 glider launches per annum. Historical data indicates the number of launches taking place during the period May to September 2001 is likely to be in the region of 1,700.
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.
The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.