§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will estimate the additional annual cost to his Department if Gurkhas were offered the same pay, conditions of service and pensions as UK armed forces personnel; and if he will make a statement; [54316]
(2) what plans he has to ensure that the conditions of service, pay and pension right of Gurkha soldiers are commensurate with the pay and conditions and pensions of other UK armed forces personnel; and if he will make a statement; [54314]
(3) what the cost to his Department was of pensions for former Gurkha soldiers in each of the last five financial years; if he will estimate in each case the cost to his Department if Gurkha pensions were paid at the rates paid to UK members of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement; [54318]
(4) if he will estimate the cost to his Department if surviving former Gurkhas who are drawing pensions related to their service in the UK armed forces were paid in a lump sum additional moneys in order to make up the difference between what they have been drawing in pension and what they would have received if they had the same pension rights as UK members of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [54317]
§ Mr. IngramGurkhas are recruited into the Army in accordance with the 1947 Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) between the Governments of India, Nepal and the UK. This is the basic instrument that enables both the UK and India to raise and maintain formed Gurkha Regiments and aims to ensure that both Armies are able to recruit on an equal basis. As a result Gurkhas Terms and Conditions of Service, including basic pay and pensions, remain linked to those of the Indian Army. We have no plans to review these arrangements.
There have, however, been significant enhancements to Gurkha conditions of service in recent years. Gurkhas are now paid a cost of living allowance known as Universal Addition for service in all theatres outside Nepal. This allowance is uplifted annually to ensure that the combination of Gurkha basic pay at Indian Army rates and Universal Addition brings their remuneration broadly into line with the net pay of comparable British Service personnel. These arrangements have been in place since 1997.
45WThe approximate cost to the Ministry of Defence of the pensions paid to former Gurkha soldiers in each of the last five financial years is as follows:
- 1997–98: £5.3 million
- 1998–99: £6 million
- 1999–2000: £8.2 million
- 2000–01: £23.9 million
- 2001–02: £26 million (includes forecasted expenditure).
The significant increase in expenditure for the financial year 2000–01 reflects the outcome of a comprehensive examination of Gurkha pensions conducted by the Ministry of Defence at that time. This led to all Gurkha pensions being at least doubled and they now compare favourably to professional salaries in Nepal, where all Gurkhas are discharged. The vast majority of Gurkha pensioners, who continue to be entitled to an immediate pension after only 15 year's service, welcomed the outcome of the examination. British service personnel discharged at this point of service would receive no pension until they reached the age of 60. We remain of the view that the arguments for an immediate pension on discharge in Nepal are compelling.
Because of the different terms of service and career structures that apply, it is very difficult to make the direct comparisons that are sought. The cost of transposing British service personnel pay and conditions of service to Gurkhas cannot be computed accurately, and not without incurring disproportionate costs.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gurkhas are in service in the UK armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [54312]
§ Mr. IngramAs at 1 April 2002, there are 3,449 Gurkhas serving in the British Army. They serve in a variety of roles, mainly in the infantry but also with significant numbers of engineers, signals and logistics specialists. We expect Gurkha manning to remain at around this level for the foreseeable future.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former Gurkhas drawing an armed forces pension are resident in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Nepal and (c) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [54313]
§ Mr. IngramResidency details for former Gurkhas drawing an armed forces pension are not held. Data regarding the location in which payments are made are set out in the table.
Location from which paid1 Number of pensions paid2 United Kingdom 14 Nepal 26,881 Elsewhere 206 Notes:
1Pensioners may reside in a different location.
2Includes all types of Gurkha pensions—normal, disability and family.