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"Treatment of retired British Gurkha soldiers a national disgrace" claims MP
September 29, 2008 11:03 AM
Brecon and Radnorshire MP, Roger Williams today branded the treatment of retired British Gurkha soldiers a National disgrace. Mr Williams' constituency is home to The Gurkha Company (Mandalay) of Brecon, which has been stationed at Dering Lines, Brecon since 1974.
Mr Williams recently visited the Gurkha Company (Mandalay) to join them in celebrating the Dashain, the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country.
Speaking after the celebration Mr Williams said "Gurkhas play a vital role in the British Army. My constituency is host to a company of over one hundred Mandalays based in Sennybridge and the Derring Lines barracks. They are well respected in the community, with many accompanied by their wives and children.
"I remain concerned about the discrepancy between those who left the service in 1997 and those who left after this date. The treatment of ex-servicemen who left the company before 1997 is a National disgrace. Many Gurkhas who return to Nepal live in poverty and have to depend on charity to survive. Typically, retired Gurkhas could expect to receive between one sixth and one eighth of the pension paid to an equivalent UK service person. Surely a level playing field in terms of pensions would help all the Gurkha soldiers".
"Settlement rights are also very important. Gurkhas who retired before July 1997 are not allowed to stay in the UK. These brave soldiers have served our Country yet this Government is content to send them back to Nepal, often to a life of extreme poverty".
"I am strongly supporting the British Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation in its campaign to get justice".
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