§ Mr. G. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions which have been taking place with the Government of Nepal concerning the recruitment of Gurkhas for the British forces.
§ Mr. NuttingAs my hon. and learned Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations informed the House on 16th October last, the Government of India have informed Her Majesty's Government that they wish to terminate the present arrangements by which the enlistment of Gurkhas from Nepal for service with the British Army takes place on Indian territory.
Following discussion with the Government of India, Her Majesty's Government approached the Government of Nepal and the two Governments have agreed that depots for the recruitment of Gurkhas for the British Army shall be established on Nepalese soil, near the frontier of Nepal. This arrangement shall remain in force, in the first instance, for five years. Any proposal for its extension or for the variation of its terms shall be the subject of consultation between the Government of Nepal and Her Majesty's Government.
A party of military experts will now visit Nepal to confer with the Nepalese military authorities and to choose, in consultation with them, suitable sites for the new recruiting depots.