§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce plans to commemorate the military assistance given by Nepal to the United Kingdom in(a) the two World Wars and (b) other significant conflicts. [24748]
§ Mr. BradshawWe rightly commemorate the immense contribution that the Nepalese, through the Gurkhas, have made to the United Kingdom in the world wars and in other conflicts. The Gurkhas, as an integral part of the British Army, are commemorated at Remembrance 883W Day. The Nepalese Ambassador is the only non-Commonwealth foreign representative to attend the commemoration. The Gurkha Statue near the Ministry of Defence Main Building, unveiled by Her Majesty the Queen in December 1997, is another permanent reminder of the contribution of the Gurkhas, and the Gurkha Gardens in Winchester is no less important a memorial.
The Gurkhas are also commemorated in a more practical way through the work of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, an independent registered charity, which provides financial, medical and community aid to alleviate hardship and distress among Gurkha ex-servicemen of the British Army and their dependants after they have returned to their homeland of Nepal. The MOD recognises the valuable work that this trust does and makes a substantial annual grant towards its administrative costs.