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Proceeding contribution from Phil Woolas (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 29 April 2009. It occurred during Opposition day on Gurkha Settlement Rights.


Gurkha Settlement Rights

I am being pressed to take interventions, but there are a number of speakers, the Liberal Democrats have another debate this afternoon and we have only until 4 o'clock. I shall finish on this point, which involves a quotation from the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) who, at the time of the 2004 settlement—deal, agreement, arrangement—that we made, was a Conservative Defence spokesman. He said:""We warmly welcome the government's decision. This should receive overwhelming support from the British people who have enjoyed the Gurkhas' valuable service over nearly 200 years."" I should like to ask, what changed between 2004 and now, other than an opportunity to jump on a bandwagon, misrepresent the good intentions of the Government, question our motive and not even wait for the facts to see how many people secure settlement from the new guidelines?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
491 c906 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Armed forces Immigration Gurkhas
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk