§ 21 and 22. Sir J. Smythasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is satisfied that the high standard of British officers from Sandhurst for the Brigade of Gurkhas is being maintained; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will give an assurance that the Brigade of Gurkhas will be kept at its present strength.
§ 24. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gurkha troops are now enlisted in Her Majesty's Forces; where they are serving; what is the rate of recruitment; and whether he will make a statement on the future policy concerning the maintenance of the Gurkha Brigade.
§ Mr. MulleyI am satisfied that the officers accepted by the Brigade of Gurkhas are, in every way, up to the high standard required.
The total number of Gurkha troops, including boys, in British service on 1st October, 1964, was 14,000. The Brigade of Gurkhas is deployed in Malaysia and Hong Kong; it is playing a distinguished part in operations in Borneo. In the current year 900 men and 100 boys have been recruited. We do not intend to alter the size and organisation of the Brigade of Gurkhas in present circumstances.
§ Sir J. SmythDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that, although the Brigade of Gurkhas is getting the required numbers of British officers from Sandhurst, I am informed that they are not of the high standard that they were a few years ago and that this is because parents of these young men do not believe that they have a settled career in the Gurkha Brigade? I ask the right hon. Gentleman to allay this anxiety. In regard to my second Question on Gurkha recruiting generally, there is still a feeling in the Gurkha Brigade that they have not got a very settled future and this is affecting recruiting in Nepal, and the general problem of 18 —[Interruption.] I have two Questions on the Order Paper. This is affecting recruiting and maintenance in the Gurkha Brigade. I suggest—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."]—that one of the Ministers should go to Nepal and look at these problems for himself.
§ Mr. MulleyIn reply to the first Question—
§ Mr. HefferOn a point of order. As a new Member I should like to know what length one is allowed for a supplementary question.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe answer is, as short as one can possibly manage on every occasion.
§ Mr. MulleyI shall endeavour to set an example by giving short replies, although the points raised by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman are of importance to many hon. Members. We are satisfied that the quality of candidates at Sandhurst who opt for the Gurkhas is up to the standard required. It is true that their average passing out mark has been a little lower last year than in previous years, but there were 12 who chose the Gurkhas this year against 10 in the previous year. I can assure the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that even if the proposals of the previous Administration were proceeded with to cut down the Gurkhas there would be a career for young men who opt for the Gurkha Brigade. I hope to take the opportunity to go to see them in Malaysia, including Borneo.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that the work they are doing in Borneo is absolutely invaluable? When he goes to try to increase recruiting, will he see that leave and facilities for the Gurkhas at home stations are improved?
§ Mr. MulleyI repeat that it is my intention to go to see for myself at the first opportunity. The intake of recruits this year was 900 men and 100 boys, which is the maximum the training organisation can handle in any year.