§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Gurkha troops qualify for the same pay and conditions as their British counterparts. [41108]
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§ Mr. SoamesPay and conditions of service for Gurkhas serving the Crown are largely governed by the 1947 tripartite agreement, between the Governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal. Under the terms of this agreement, Gurkha basic pay is linked to Indian army rates of pay. British Gurkhas do, however, receive a substantial addition to their basic pay which takes into account the cost of living at their duty station. In the United Kingdom, where the tasks carried out by Gurkhas are similar to their regular counterparts, the addition is calculated to ensure comparability. British Gurkha conditions of service are also governed by the tripartite agreement and are comparable to those in the Indian Army; they do, however, recognise the unique cultural and religious character of British Gurkha personnel.