The Last Debate of the Session: Gurkha Pensions (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

The Last Debate of the Session: Gurkha Pensions

July 28, 2009 11:12 AM

• [Jul 21] Kerry McCarthy: MOTION made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.

10:07 pm: David Drew (Stroud, Labour): I am delighted to have this debate, the last act of the Session. I welcome you to the Chair, Mr. Speaker, and wish you and your family a happy recess. I also welcome the Minister, the Whip and my hon. Friend John McDonnell. This is an important debate and one that has reverberated for some months since the settlement issue was resolved.

• . . 10:22 pm: Kevan Jones (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Veterans), Ministry of Defence; North Durham, Labour): I congratulate my hon. Friend Mr. Drew on securing tonight's Adjournment debate on Gurkha pensions, which gives me an opportunity to explain what the Government are doing for Gurkha pension arrangements and explode some of the myths that surround them. Unfortunately, my hon. Friend has repeated some of those myths tonight.

. . In conclusion, the issue has been before the High Court on a number of occasions and has been legally challenged. In the debate a few weeks ago, the previous Home Secretary, the Home Affairs Committee and the chair of the all-party Gurkha group all made it clear that immigration rights and pensions are two separate issues. We continue to argue that the arrangements that we have put in place for Gurkhas are fair and give a good standard of living to Gurkhas in Nepal. When I was there-

House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).

They reconvene on October 12.

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: