House of Lords written question – answered at on 6 December 2001.
Lord Marsh
Crossbench
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in principle decisions on the possible resiting of gliders from RAF Bicester to RAF Upper Rissington have yet been taken; if so, when they were taken; and, if not, what is the estimated date that they will be taken.
Lord Bach
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Procurement), Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence
A decision on where to relocate the gliding activity from RAF Bicester has not yet been taken. The study to inform the recommendation on a permanent location is still continuing; RAF Little Rissington is one of a number of sites under consideration. No recommendations can be made until the study is concluded. The evaluation of all the proposals is taking longer than expected but should be complete early in the new year.
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