§ Mr. Beaneyasked the Minister of State for Defence what proposals he has to relieve the hardship of members of the Gurkha Brigade about to be demobilised by the running down of this Brigade as being surplus to the needs of the Army, in view of the financial plight of these men who have served this country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe redundancy terms announced in December, 1966, provide adequate compensation and are regarded as fair by the Gurkhas. These terms provide for a specially enhanced pension for those with ten years' service or more, a lump sum basic gratuity, and an additional gratuity according to rank 99W and length of service. Since redundancy began in 1967 minimum Gurkha pensions have been increased by over 50 per cent.