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Search forGurkhas go home says district councillor
Friday, November 28, 2008, 14:00
Coun Nick Parsons (C, Ermin), spoke out at a council meeting urging colleagues not to wholeheartedly support an appeal from Reading Borough Council to back a change to immigration rules and pensions for Gurkhas.
He said the soldiers would do more good returning to Nepal and would cost too much to keep.
Reading, which hosts the main Gurkha barracks 20 miles away, is calling on other councils to support the Campaign for Gurkha Rights.
Gurkhas have played an active frontline part in the British Army for nearly 200 years, with about 300,000 fighting alongside UK soldiers and 45,000 being killed or wounded.
In September 2004, the Government changed immigration rules to allow the Nepalese soldiers and families to settle in the UK – but only those who had served at least four years and been discharged after July 1, 1997.
Reading council says all retired Gurkhas should have the right to citizenship and a fair deal on pensions.
But Coun Parsons, who spent 1988 to 1989 working with the Ministry of Defence on the Gurkhas’ long-term future, said he supported the cause in general but did not want to see any retrospective action taken.
He said: “They have produced a very fine and remarkable service for the British Army. But Gurkhas signed up on the contractual arrangements available. And I urge people not $deal with this on an emotive level.
“Gurkhas returning to Nepal with British Army pensions are a major source of wealth.
“The majority live in the hills and they come back with a pension guaranteed for life and that has a huge effect on the economy. And if a very high percentage stay in this country this will have a bad effect on their communities.
“If Gurkhas also become expensive for this country the MoD will stop enlisting them.”
Coun Peter Martin (Ind, Tetbury), said: “My father served with them, but I don’t think we should overstep our remit as a district council.”
But Coun Peter Braidwood (C, Cirencester, Beeches) said: “I can’t think of another group of people who are more deserving to stay in this country and get a fair pension.”
The council voted 23-0, with 12 abstentions, to support the campaign in general, but not Reading’s letter.
Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork, whose son Major Paul Pitchfork, from Winchcombe, gained the Military Cross for his actions in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: “If someone is prepared to fight and die for the principles of this country that gives them the same reason for being looked after as anyone else. It seems odd they’re discriminated against when they’ve a great contribution to this country.”
Retired Gurkha Dil Thapa Magar, who jointly runs the Roadmaker pub, at Gorsley, Ross-on-Wye, said: “It’s difficult to survive and to find a suitable job or pension in our country and we all work hard for a living here.”
Actress Joanna Lumley, has backed the cause on her Justice For Gurkhas website.
“Only the Government can put in place the new policy the British people want – the right of all Gurkhas to settle in the UK irrespective of the date of retirement,” she said.
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