00:00David Chubbuck. Thank you Mr Speaker. For over two centuries Gurkha veterans have served our country with extraordinary loyalty and bravery and many of them and their families have strong ties to my constituency in Brecon.
00:12Yet to the shock of many, thousands who retired before 1997, despite fighting shoulder to shoulder with their British comrades, often suffering injuries and wounds in the process, remain on inferior pensions, leaving too many in poverty.
00:25Does the Minister agree this injustice cannot be allowed to stand and will he commit to ensuring all Gurkha veterans receive fair and equal pensions in recognition of their service?
00:38I'd like to thank the Honourable Member for his question. We have a proud and distinguished history of Gurkha soldiers serving within the British Army and indeed across defence and I've served with them in Afghanistan and across many other conflicts.
00:50The bilateral Gurkha Veterans Welfare Committee sat most recently in June of this year and continues to ensure the needs that Gurkha veterans are met and fully understood.
01:00It's also worth noting that even British service personnel in and around that area, some didn't qualify for pensions.
01:06So there is, in some cases, parity across the board.
01:11The Gurkha Welfare Advice Centre's provide handling support for a wide variety of welfare-related inquiries alongside the Brigade's Association.
01:18And I myself have met with the Nepalese Ambassador and meet with them again soon to discuss the issue.
01:22Sir Blubb.
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