HL Deb 11 October 1999 vol 605 cc72-3WA
Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What compensation is available in respect of Gurkha casualties serving with NATO compared with other casualties of equivalent rank. [HL3939]

Baroness Symons

All Gurkhas, including those serving with NATO, serve under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) between Nepal, India and the UK. Under the terms of the TPA, compensation for injury or death is awarded in the form of an immediate pension and a gratuity payment in line with Indian Army rates and the cost of living in Nepal. British Service personnel who are injured or killed as a result of their service are eligible for benefits under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, which are based on the degree of disability and rank.

Payments for both Gurkhas and British Servicemen can be supplemented by contributory schemes; the Army Dependants Assurance Trust providing an additional pension, and Army Insurance Funds providing additional payments.

My honourable friend, the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Henderson) announced on 1 July 1999 (Commons Official Report, 1 July 1999, col. 471) that he has set up a committee to examine Gurkha pensions and gratuities within the context of the Tri-Partite Agreement.