HC Deb 14 February 1984 vol 54 c121
14. Mr. Neil Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to vary the number of Gurkha soldiers serving in the British Army.

Mr. Stanley

The size of all formations in the Army is kept under continuous review, but we have no proposals to vary the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Mr. Thorne

As we approach the end of the lease on the Hong Kong New Territories in 1997, can my hon. Friend assure me that alternative training arrangements will be made for the Gurkhas, if that need should arise? Will adequate training facilities be provided for the Gurkhas, who have supported us so well throughout their history, over the past 150 years? Can my hon. Friend assure the House that that link will not be lost?

Mr. Stanley

I assure my hon. Friend that we shall pay close attention to training facilities for the Gurkhas. I fully endorse the tribute paid to them. Recently I had the pleasure of seeing them in an excellent operational role in Belize.