HC Deb 08 April 1970 vol 799 cc522-4
8. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present Gurkha establishment, its present strength, and on what date it is proposed to reduce it to 6,000; and, having regard to the continuing decline in British Army recruiting, whether he will now re-open negotiations for the Gurkha establishment to be revised from a future 6,000 to a future 12,000 men.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. Ivor Richard)

The present Gurkha establishment is six Infantry battalions and one regiment each of signals, engineers and transport. Its present strength is just under 10,000, and that will be reduced by about 2,000 a year to a figure of 6,000 by 31st December, 1971. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the written reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration to a similar Question on 30th January.—[Vol. 794, c. 405–6.]

Sir G. Nabarro

Is it not calamitous to continue the policy to reduce these Gurkha regiments at a time when our own recruiting is meeting with such a dismal response in spite of all the Government's efforts, and could not the Gurkha policy now be reconsidered in the light of contemporary United Kingdom recruiting conditions?

Mr. Richard

There are two parts to the hon. Gentleman's question. First, as regards what he claims to be deficiencies in the Government's recruiting policy—[Interruption.] I hope that the hon. Gentleman will listen to the answer, since he asked the question. He will know that recruiting is about 20 per cent. better this year than at the comparable date last year. To the second part of his question—namely, should not we now review the size of the Gurkha regiments in the light of those recruiting figures?—the answer is. No, Sir.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

Why not?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

But does not the hon. Gentleman agree that there is an increasing rôle which the Gurkhas can play, that there is ability to recruit more Gurkhas should it be necessary, and that we could easily maintain a strength of 10,000 Gurkha soldiers? Have they not a rôle not only in Hong Kong and the Far East but also, perhaps, in the European theatre?

Mr. Richard

The hon. Gentleman knows that it is the Government's opinion that for the rôles foreseen for the Gurkhas in the period till the end of 1971 a figure of 6,000 is appropriate.

Sir G. Nabarro

On a point of order——

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice——

Mr. Speaker

Order. Sir Gerald Nabarro.

Sir G. Nabarro

In view of the unsatisfactory replies to Questions Nos. 7 and 8, on recruiting matters, including the Gurkha regiments, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Notice should be given in the conventional form.