Examination of Witnesses (Questions 680
- 684)
WEDNESDAY 19 JANUARY 2000 [Morning]
MR JOHN
SPELLAR MP, AIR
MARSHAL MALCOLM
PLEDGER, VICE
ADMIRAL SIR
IAN GARNETT,
GENERAL SIR
ALEX HARLEY,
AIR MARSHAL
SIR ANTHONY
BAGNALL AND
COMMODORE PETER
WYKEHAM-MARTIN
680. What was done to assess the effects on
the three services of lifting the ban? I welcome it myself but
I would be interested to know from our three service chiefs what
did they put in to see what would happen on their service? What
difficulties did they perceive to be imminent going to face the
commanding officers?
(Mr Spellar) What do you mean by "work",
Mike?
681. What thought process?
(Mr Spellar) The thought processes went into drawing
up a code of conduct that would be workable and would operate
within the framework of the law.
682. You are perfectly satisfied that all the
groundwork that needed to be done to make this as smooth as possible
transitionally has occurred?
(Air Marshall Pledger) Absolutely.
(Mr Spellar) That is why we have sent out the briefing
pack to the commanding officers.
Mr Hancock: Could you tell me is the
policy of not allowing a Nepalese born Gurkha to become colonel
of one of the Gurkha battalions still in force or has that now
been dropped?
Chairman: Is this a homosexual question?
Mr Hancock
683. It is a question I could not get in earlier.
(Mr Spellar) I will write to you, Mr Hancock.
(General Sir Alex Harley) There was quite recently
a Gurkha who was a commanding officer.
684. Currently, but I understand he is the last.
There is no policy generally?
(General Sir Alex Harley) On merit.
(Mr Spellar) I will write to you.
Chairman: Make your departure very swiftly,
Minister. Thank you very much to you and your team.
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