HC Deb 31 May 1961 vol 641 cc229-31
15. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for War who are the recipients of the rewards paid for obtaining recruits for the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Mr. Profumo

Rewards are paid to Gurkha civilian recruiters, who are themselves former members of the Brigade of Gurkhas, specially selected for the work.

Mr. Rankin

How much is paid to these individuals for every Gurkha soldier they bring down from the hills of Nepal to the transit camp in India? In view of the high compliments that have been paid to the quality of these soldiers—with which we all agree—when will the right hon. Gentleman be able to begin paying them the rate for the job they are called upon to do when they come to this country?

Mr. Profumo

I answered the last part of that supplementary question previously.

Mr. Rankin

No.

Mr. Profumo

The hon. Gentleman must look in HANSARD. I answered the last part of the question when I was reviewing the matter with regard to Gurkha soldiers, and said that it was my intention that they should be given the same sort of remuneration as our own soldiers. The hon. Gentleman asked how much the recruiters are paid. I think that it is between six and ten rupees for every accepted recruit.

Mr. Rankin

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that, when he said he would do his best for these soldiers, he referred not to pay but to allowances? Does he mean that the 5s. a day which they are paid in this country will be equated up to the amount paid to the same type of British soldier through additional allowances?

Mr. Profumo

I tried to explain last time that it is my intention that the total remuneration—the spending power, if the hon. Gentleman likes to put it that way—of these Gurkha soldiers, when coming to this country, should be on a parallel with the others. I am looking into the matter.

Mr. G. Wilson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that for many years Gurkhas, who have never been British subjects, have been recruited to our Army because they liked to join it?

Mr. Profumo

Yes. They still like it, I am happy to say.