HC Deb 04 June 1962 vol 661 cc27-8
24. Sir J. Smyth

asked the Lord Privy Seal what are the present arrangements, between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of India and Nepal, as regard the numbers of Gurkhas who may be enlisted by India and Great Britain.

Mr. P. Thomas

The arrangements are basically those reached in a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement signed in Katmandu on 9th November, 1947, the main points of which were given to the House in a statement by the then Minister of Defence on 1st December, 1947.

Sir J. Smyth

Would my hon. Friend agree that the little Kingdom of Nepal has rendered loyal and faithful service to this country over many years, in times of considerable stress, and that her only export is Gurkhas? Since that commodity is so important for the Kingdom of Nepal and, I submit, so very important for us in the present state of military manpower, would my hon. Friend give an assurance that no alteration will be made in that agreement without very serious consideration?

Mr. Thomas

I certainly wholeheartedly agree with my right hon. and gallant Friend—and I am delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate him on becoming a Privy Councillor—when he talks about the loyal and valuable service the Gurkhas have given. I certainly appreciate the point he mentioned about the value of the Gurkha soldiers as an export from Nepal. As to the last part of his supplementary question, I am afraid that I cannot add anything to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War said in reply to many questions put to him the other day.

Sir J. Smyth

Does my hon. Friend realise that the statement made by the Secretary of State for War caused considerable concern and anxiety both within the Gurkha Brigade and the Nepalese Government? Cannot my hon. Friend say something more reassuring to the Nepalese Government and to our very valuable Gurkha Brigade which is serving us so loyally at the present time?

Mr. Thomas

I certainly appreciate my right hon. and gallant Friend's concern about this but, as he knows, the Secretary of State for War did say that no decision is to be taken this year as to the matter he referred to.