GURKHA VETERAN PENSIONS

That this House is concerned that all Gurkha veterans do not receive the same monthly payment as their UK counterparts; notes that over 12,000 Gurkha veterans who retired prior to 1997 and would qualify for a pension if they had been UK soldiers presently receive no pension and are thus discriminated against; recognises that the inferior Gurkha pension is leading many elderly, infirm and increasingly vulnerable Gurkha veterans to believe that UK residency is the only option to receive fair treatment by the UK; further notes that if the pressure to settle in the UK were reduced, considerable savings would be made and less pressure would be placed on the UK welfare system; and therefore urges the Government to address the issue of Gurkha pension inequality.