HL Deb 22 January 1997 vol 577 cc684-5

3 p.m.

Lord Harding of Petherton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their review of provision for married accommodation for Gurkha soldiers in this country will result in the provision of accommodation for Gurkhas on the same scale as for British soldiers.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)

My Lords, as I informed the House on 14th January, I expect a decision on the review of Gurkha terms and conditions of service to be announced within four weeks or so. My noble friend will be able to judge the content of the announcement then.

Lord Harding of Petherton

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that reply. However, I am afraid that he has not answered my Question. My understanding is that this has already been decided in the Ministry of Defence and that the entitlement of Gurkhas stationed in this country to married quarters will be on a lesser scale than that which they have always enjoyed. Can my noble friend say whether that decision can be reviewed? As Gurkhas stationed in Britain are to be attached to British battalions to make up the shortfall in the number of our own troops, surely it is not unreasonable that they should be treated more generously than in the past.

Earl Howe

My Lords, naturally I understand my noble friend's close interest in such matters. I can assure him that his concerns have been noted and that they will be taken into account. However, as he will appreciate, what I cannot do is pre-empt the announcement on Gurkha terms and conditions which we expect to make next month.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House whether difficulties are being experienced in providing married accommodation for the Gurkhas because the Armed Services have recently sold off all their married quarters?

Earl Howe

My Lords, I should point out to the noble Lord that we have also leased back the majority of the married quarters to accommodate those entitled to them. I can assure him that, if accompanied service in the UK is something that we decide to offer to Gurkhas, there will be sufficient married quarters to accommodate those families so entitled.

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