Westminster Hall
Wednesday 7 June 2006
[Frank Cook in the Chair]
Gurkhas
Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting be now adjourned.—[Jonathan Shaw.]
9.30 am
Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I congratulate the United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen's Association, which is based in Nepal, on the excellent campaign that it has conducted, with others, to get a better deal—a fair and just deal—and recognition and appreciation from Britain, the country which hundreds of thousands of brave citizens from Nepal have served with such courage and distinction over many decades, for those Gurkha veterans who have not been treated as they should have been after giving up active service. Having praised the association’s campaign, I would also like to thank its members for providing so much background information in order to justify a successful conclusion.
The participation of other Members in this debate is welcome, but I trust that ample time will be left to enable the Minister to respond—hopefully with encouraging news for the Gurkha veterans.
David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. I am happy to call him that, but by convention I should refer to him as the hon. Gentleman. He mentions the campaign. He and I have met good numbers of Gurkhas here in the Palace of Westminster today. Does he agree that the fact that the campaign has been quiet, restrained and dignified has, to an extent, led to protracted negotiations, when the situation might have been resolved rather earlier? Unfortunately, the meek do not always inherit the earth. Nevertheless, people have been very effective.
Bob Russell: I appreciate that contribution. It is fair to say that the Gurkha veterans have been dignified in the extreme in their campaign. It is a tribute to them that they have been able to maintain that attitude. I hope that their courage and due diligence will pay dividends.
A review of the general issues has been carried out, and its publication by the Ministry of Defence is eagerly anticipated. Perhaps today’s debate is pushing at an unlocked door, but how far will the Government open it? Shortly after coming into office, the Labour Government rightly took action towards putting serving Gurkha soldiers on an equal footing with the rest of the British Army, which is to be both welcomed and applauded. However, I seek the Minister’s assurance that the 3,000 Gurkhas currently serving in the British Army have equal terms and conditions of service, in all respects, to their British counterparts.
Today’s debate relates to veterans who retired before July 1997. It will no doubt be claimed that it is not possible to make amends for the unfair way in which
serving Gurkhas were treated by successive Governments prior to then, but I trust that no one will defend the continued unfairness that Gurkha veterans who retired prior to that date have experienced over many decades. That shameful legacy tarnishes British military history and must be ended without further delay. Those veterans were short-changed when they served in the British Army, and they and their families must not be short-changed in retirement.
I declare a personal interest. I once served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles. Admittedly it was while I was on the armed forces parliamentary scheme, and it was for only four days, but those days on a live exercise in difficult terrain in Kenya are ones that I shall never forget, and I have the T-shirt to prove it.
Two weeks ago I had the honour of welcoming about 50 members of the Nepal-based United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association to the House of Commons, after which I accompanied them to the Gurkha memorial off Whitehall where wreaths and tribute ribbons were laid, and the last post and reveille were played. We then went to Downing street, where a detailed appeal was handed in calling on the Government to put right the many years of wrong, and to treat Gurkha veterans in the same way as others who have served in Her Majesty’s and, in some cases, His Majesty’s armed forces. The oldest veteran there had served in Burma in the second world war. Another was the holder of the Victoria cross from a conflict 40 years ago. That medal was one of 13 Victoria crosses to be awarded to Gurkhas among more than 6,500 decorations for bravery.
Gurkhas have frequently been portrayed as the bravest of the brave. They are renowned for their valour on the battlefields and for being exceptional soldiers who are loyal to those they serve. Their tenacity, strength, fearlessness, courage and ferocity are without equal. To Britain’s shame, however, there is a parallel history of discrimination in the 190 years in which successive generations of Gurkha soldiers have served the Crown.
The United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen’s Association, which was formed in Nepal in 2003, is an umbrella group of six different Gurkha ex-servicemen’s associations in Nepal. It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the welfare of Gurkha veterans and to highlighting the problems faced by them and their families. That unifying organisation has been lobbying both the British and Nepalese Governments for equal rights for Gurkhas in relation to pay, pension and other facilities. The association’s background briefing tells me:
“That the Ministry of Defence has discriminated against the ex-Gurkhas is a fact, which needs no further elaboration. There is no need to further justify this grave injustice perpetrated ‘to a friend by a friend’.”
“The Gurkhas have fought with utmost bravery and loyalty for the British Crown and its citizens for the last 200 years. They have made enormous contributions towards the British colonial expansion and have safeguarded the British Empire across the Globe. They fought in both World Wars. They have continued to serve British interests in subsequent conflicts. They have proved to be the most trusted and loyal friends of the British in the most difficult of times...As a reward the Gurkhas are left destitute today. They live a life of misery and shame back home. They are forced to sell their medals of bravery to make their ends meet and many have been forced to beg on the streets of their own villages.”
How can we ignore such a situation? Something must be done. I trust that the Minister will say that urgent action will be taken to answer this cry for help. We should collectively hang our heads in shame.
The Minister might suggest that the tripartite agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal, which was signed in 1947, or thereabouts, prevents Britain from improving the lot of Gurkha veterans, but I am advised that the Indian Government have written to the association refuting that, and saying:
“This is an issue between the UK and Nepal.”
The pension is arguably the most important and contentious issue, and needs to be resolved immediately. Pensions paid to Gurkha veterans need to be brought into line with those paid to British veterans—proportionate to years of service. The same should be done for the pensions paid to widows of Gurkha veterans. There is no social welfare policy in Nepal, and the widows of Gurkha veterans often suffer extreme financial difficulties. Gurkhas who were discharged without any pension should be considered for a preserved pension, like British soldiers.
The medical expenses of retired Gurkhas should be borne by the Ministry of Defence in full. The current system, in which the Gurkha Welfare Trust coughs up funds for veterans’ medical expenses, is totally unacceptable. The GWT is a charitable trust and the moneys in it were raised by the Gurkhas themselves or were donated. Rather than allow the current situation to continue, the MOD should bear the full costs of ex-servicemen’s medical treatment.
Compensation is another important issue which needs to be addressed. I have been given details of the discrimination in relation to the pay and conditions of Gurkha soldiers while serving in the British Army. I invite the Minister to respond positively to the following point put strongly to me on behalf of the veterans:
“It is only logical that the post-1947 Gurkhas are awarded compensation for the loss in pay and allowances during their entire service.”
Another issue of great importance that, because of time, I shall address briefly is that of discrimination against Gurkha veterans who left the British Army before July 1997 regarding the granting of indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The Minister need not necessarily respond today; he could do so in writing later. I am advised that veterans who retire after that date are granted leave, and I agree with the association that
“It is morally and legally important that the British Government allow all Gurkha Ex-Servicemen and their families, regardless of when they retired, to enter, work and live in the UK with dignity.”
Does the Minister agree? If not, why not?
Another issue that needs to be resolved is the citizenship status of children born to mothers who accompany their Gurkha soldier husbands who serve in the British Army, whether in the UK or overseas. Why cannot they have British citizenship?
In conclusion, I shall quote from the heartfelt appeal made last month by the association when it sent a special delegation from Nepal to London:
“As Gurkhas, we feel that the current Review is a wonderful opportunity to address and solve all the aforementioned problems affecting the retired Gurkhas in a just and fair manner,
with all sincerity for once and all, acceptable to both the Gurkhas and British Government, thus ensuring that the state of dissent and conflict that now exists between them is resolved forever. It would also ensure that the Ministry of Defence position would be beyond reproach, both legally and morally. Additionally, we feel this will enhance, even more, the warm and friendly relation between the two countries.”
9.40 am
Mr. Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): First, I should apologise to hon. Members and to you, Mr. Cook, because I may have to leave the debate later to attend to other parliamentary duties.
It is a great pleasure to take part in this debate. I pay particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) for the work that he has done on behalf of Gurkha veterans, and to other hon. Members in that regard. In his speech, my hon. Friend displayed his depth of knowledge and his commitment to putting right many of the difficulties that afflict Gurkha veterans after they finish their service with the British Army.
Nobody can doubt the loyalty and bravery with which the Gurkhas have served this nation. I, too, have experienced service with the Gurkhas, in the jungle in Brunei, albeit for only two days. It was an experience that I shall never forget. Although my jungle warfare skills were not of the highest order, they said that after those two days I was “improving”.
I have a particular interest in the Gurkhas in relation to Derring Lines, where company and platoon commanders of the infantry in the British Army are trained, and Sennybridge ranges, which is another infantry training facility. Probably every infantryman in the British Army has experienced it. A Gurkha captain told me that although the Arctic is cold, it is dry, and although the jungle is wet, it is at least warm, but Sennybridge is cold and wet and the highest level of personal organisation is needed to survive there, so it is a test for people wanting to serve in the British Army.
Before I talk about the veterans, I must say that things are improving for currently serving Gurkhas. I pay tribute to the fact that accompanied service for married Gurkhas has now been extended from the minimum three-year period of service. They now have the same conditions as apply to other members of the British armed forces, as long as they have served three years. It is fairly traditional for Gurkhas to get married after their second period of Nepal leave, which is probably after six years. In Brecon, the number of Gurkha soldiers who have their family with them has increased from about 27 to approximately 34. Those Gurkhas serve with the Mandalay company, which is a demonstration company of Gurkhas that helps with the training of platoon and company commanders in the Brecon area. Their contribution to that training is second to none.
David Taylor:
The hon. Gentleman is describing the welcome improvements that have been made in recent years. As the hon. Member for Colchester said, there is a serious problem in relation to the 1997 cut-off date, and we must not lose sight of that. Some 32,000 Gurkhas in Nepal are adversely affected by the failure
thus far to address the problems that he referred to in his opening speech. That is the key issue of this debate, is it not?
Mr. Williams: I agree, but I was hoping to make the point that things are improving for some Gurkhas who will retire from the British Army in future. Their conditions will have been addressed, but the circumstances of Gurkhas who left the Army before 1997 will not be dealt with until the Government take action. We understand those issues, which were well set out by my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester. Gurkhas who are currently serving, as well as those who left the Army before 1997, are still concerned about nationality and indefinite leave to remain.
Although conditions in Nepal have improved to a certain extent and the commitment to democracy which is now emerging will enhance living conditions in that country, the Government must address the fact that Gurkhas who have retired to Nepal do not have sufficient pensions to enjoy their retirement and to ensure that their families are maintained so as to give them security and peace of mind in their remaining years.
My contribution this morning has been relatively short, but my involvement with the Gurkha troops is an ongoing concern. The Minister was kind enough to arrange a visit to Derring Lines, where the Gurkhas are based, so that I could talk to their commanding officer and to some of the soldiers. They have concerns about the people who retired before 1997, some of whom they served with, because they know that the retired soldiers will not have the same conditions and the same enhancements as they will enjoy.
We look forward to the Minister being able to announce at some stage, if not today, that Britain will at last repay the great debt that the nation owes to the Gurkha soldiers, who have made such a huge contribution not only to the defence of the country, but to promoting British interests abroad.
9.47 am
Dr. Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland) (Lab): Thank you for calling me to speak in this important debate, Mr. Cook. I had no intention of taking part, but I am happy to say a few words.
First, I congratulate the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) on securing the debate. The topic is an important one, and I am sorry that some hon. Members are otherwise engaged. Had I not been delayed on the way here, I would have heard all of his speech, but I caught some of it, and I agree with the spirit of his remarks.
I have followed the subject from a distance, always listening and watching what was going on. Over the years, our Government have made an immense effort to tackle discrimination wherever it exists. We have made a start, and although there is still a long way to go, I praise my Government for their record in that respect.
I must say to the Minister that the treatment of the Gurkhas is an issue of discrimination. I welcome him to his new post. I am sure that he will take the issue up as one of his causes in his Department and he may become renowned for dealing with it. I agree with what was said earlier about the contribution that the Gurkhas have made as part of the British armed forces; I have never
heard a single person say anything different: people recognise the bravery of the Gurkhas and the contribution that they have made.
Discrimination interests me. For the Gurkhas, the important issue is their pensions and how they compare with the pensions given to British soldiers. There is no quick fix or immediate answer, but we must work towards a solution. The Government are carrying out pensions reform elsewhere, so we can take up the matter as part of the reform process if we want to do so. That represents an opportunity for us, although we might be looking a few years down the line. Nevertheless, an acknowledgement by the Minister that there is discrimination in that respect would be a step forward.
I agree with the spirit of what the hon. Member for Colchester said. We have had many debates on the topic in the House, and it is important that it be kept alive. As long as discrimination and problems relating to nationality, citizenship and so on exist, it is important that the Labour Government—I hope that people will endorse the Government at the next election—work to eliminate them. I know that we cannot do everything at once, but we must at least take steps to remedy the situation. I have always championed all that my party has done to tackle discrimination and injustice. I joined the Labour party because it gave hope to young Asians like me. The Labour party cares and fights against injustice and discrimination. The great Governments of Harold Wilson, Callaghan and others introduced race legislation and I see this debate in the same light.
The heroism of the Gurkhas is well documented. Given the contribution that they have made, the injustice must be put right. I believe that in the Government and among Labour Members, there is the spirit to do that. I have known the Minister for almost a decade, since before he entered the House. He gave me a lot of support when I was trying to be elected for my constituency in the north-east and I know that he cares passionately about alleviating injustice. The Gurkhas’ situation must be put right.
I am sure that the Minister will tell us all that we have achieved, but I would like him to go a step further and to offer a few words of hope, because hope is important. I am sure that there will be all-party agreement among Front-Bench Members, but we as a Labour Government are in a position to do something and to build on the progress that we have made.
I reiterate the importance of the debate and congratulate the hon. Member for Colchester again on securing it. I know that he has been interested in the subject for a long time. At various times in the voting Lobby, often with him walking on one side and I on the other, we have discussed various topics, including the Gurkhas. It is a great credit to the hon. Gentleman and the passionate way in which he has argued this important case that we are discussing it today. As someone who cares that the Labour Government does something about it, I look forward to the day when a debate such as this is not needed.
9.54 am
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |