§ 13. Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Royal British Legion on compensation payable to Gurkha former prisoners of war under the Japanese; and if he will make a statement. [143723]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence has had no discussions with the Royal British Legion concerning former Gurkha prisoners of war in relation to the ex gratia payment for the British groups who were held captive by the Japanese during the Second World War. In general, former members of the old Indian Army, including those who served in its Gurkha regiments, are not eligible for the ex gratia scheme.
Prior to 1947 there were no Gurkha regiments in the British Army. The old Indian Army, to which the Gurkhas who served during the Second World War belonged, was separate and responsibility for it passed to the new Governments of India and Pakistan when these countries became independent. The United Kingdom, India, and Pakistan each reached its own agreement with Japan in respect of matters arising from the Second World War.