House of Lords written question – answered at on 6 December 2001.
Lord Marsh
Crossbench
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the key factors under consideration in relation to the possible resiting of gliders to RAF Upper Rissington from RAF Bicester.
Lord Bach
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Procurement), Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence
The study to inform the recommendations on a permanent location for the Joint Service Adventurous Training (Gliding) is still continuing; RAF Little Rissington is one of a number of sites being assessed.
There are a range of factors under consideration in relation to the possible resiting of gliding from RAF Bicester. Key issues include compatibility of gliding with other airfield uses, airfield capacity, air space considerations, the impact on the local environment and cost.
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