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House
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2009-10 (844)
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Publisher
(3) what steps his Department is taking to inform the Gurkha veteran population in Nepal of their rights of settlement in the United Kingdom;
(3) what steps his Department is taking to inform the Gurkha veteran population in Nepal of their rights of settlement in the United Kingdom;
Asked by
Nick Harvey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
6 April 2010
Answered on
8 April 2010
The Cross-Departmental Working Group was set up in June 2009 and has met formally on three occasions, twice in 2009 and once so far this year. As well as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are members of the Working Group.The Working Group has also consulted with a wide range of welfare organisations in the course of its work, including the main Service charities: the Gurkha Welfare Trust; the Royal British Legion; ABF The Soldiers' Charity; the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; and Veterans Aid.The Gurkha Settlement Office in Kathmandu opened in October 2009 and to date has had nearly 5,000 visits from ex-Gurkhas and their families. The Government of Nepal and all ex-service organisations were briefed by MOD about the role of the office which is to provide free help and assistance with the settlement process. This includes information and education about life in the UK in order for the ex-Gurkhas to make an informed choice about settlement, and if they decide to apply for a visa help and advice filling out the visa form, help with finding and completing supporting documentation and a fast tracking system for issuing National Insurance numbers which facilitates claiming benefits in the UK. DCLG are setting up a housing advice centre in the UK to help find appropriate housing and will offer a bond to landlords in lieu of the required rental deposit. The UKBA have also introduced a new stamp on the visa which allows DWP to identify ex-Gurkhas who do not need to satisfy the Habitual Residence Test before benefits can be paid.In November 2009 and January this year several hundred ex-Gurkha representatives in Nepal were briefed by a joint MOD/UKBA team about the benefits of using the Kathmandu settlement office. A further communications exercise and additional consultation and briefings are planned in April. It is also intended to forward base some of the settlement office staff from Kathmandu to the east and west of Nepal to try and reach those who might not be able to travel to Kathmandu.A booklet in English and Nepali that explains the cost of living in the UK has been produced at the request of the ex-service organisations, and an updated and more comprehensive book about life in the UK will be issued in Nepal in April. The book, developed in association with ex-servicemen, the service charities and local authorities contains a wealth of information about living in the UK.To date, the cost of setting up and staffing the Settlement Office is some £20,000 and a similar budget has been earmarked for 2010-11.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1509-10W; 325686
House
House of Commons
(4) how much funding is available for his Department's resettlement office in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2010-11.
(4) how much funding is available for his Department's resettlement office in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2010-11.
Asked by
Nick Harvey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
6 April 2010
Answered on
8 April 2010
The Cross-Departmental Working Group was set up in June 2009 and has met formally on three occasions, twice in 2009 and once so far this year. As well as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are members of the Working Group.The Working Group has also consulted with a wide range of welfare organisations in the course of its work, including the main Service charities: the Gurkha Welfare Trust; the Royal British Legion; ABF The Soldiers' Charity; the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; and Veterans Aid.The Gurkha Settlement Office in Kathmandu opened in October 2009 and to date has had nearly 5,000 visits from ex-Gurkhas and their families. The Government of Nepal and all ex-service organisations were briefed by MOD about the role of the office which is to provide free help and assistance with the settlement process. This includes information and education about life in the UK in order for the ex-Gurkhas to make an informed choice about settlement, and if they decide to apply for a visa help and advice filling out the visa form, help with finding and completing supporting documentation and a fast tracking system for issuing National Insurance numbers which facilitates claiming benefits in the UK. DCLG are setting up a housing advice centre in the UK to help find appropriate housing and will offer a bond to landlords in lieu of the required rental deposit. The UKBA have also introduced a new stamp on the visa which allows DWP to identify ex-Gurkhas who do not need to satisfy the Habitual Residence Test before benefits can be paid.In November 2009 and January this year several hundred ex-Gurkha representatives in Nepal were briefed by a joint MOD/UKBA team about the benefits of using the Kathmandu settlement office. A further communications exercise and additional consultation and briefings are planned in April. It is also intended to forward base some of the settlement office staff from Kathmandu to the east and west of Nepal to try and reach those who might not be able to travel to Kathmandu.A booklet in English and Nepali that explains the cost of living in the UK has been produced at the request of the ex-service organisations, and an updated and more comprehensive book about life in the UK will be issued in Nepal in April. The book, developed in association with ex-servicemen, the service charities and local authorities contains a wealth of information about living in the UK.To date, the cost of setting up and staffing the Settlement Office is some £20,000 and a similar budget has been earmarked for 2010-11.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1509-10W; 325687
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how often the cross-departmental Gurkha working group has met; and what Government departments are represented on the group;
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how often the cross-departmental Gurkha working group has met; and what Government departments are represented on the group;
Asked by
Nick Harvey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
6 April 2010
Answered on
8 April 2010
The Cross-Departmental Working Group was set up in June 2009 and has met formally on three occasions, twice in 2009 and once so far this year. As well as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are members of the Working Group.The Working Group has also consulted with a wide range of welfare organisations in the course of its work, including the main Service charities: the Gurkha Welfare Trust; the Royal British Legion; ABF The Soldiers' Charity; the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; and Veterans Aid.The Gurkha Settlement Office in Kathmandu opened in October 2009 and to date has had nearly 5,000 visits from ex-Gurkhas and their families. The Government of Nepal and all ex-service organisations were briefed by MOD about the role of the office which is to provide free help and assistance with the settlement process. This includes information and education about life in the UK in order for the ex-Gurkhas to make an informed choice about settlement, and if they decide to apply for a visa help and advice filling out the visa form, help with finding and completing supporting documentation and a fast tracking system for issuing National Insurance numbers which facilitates claiming benefits in the UK. DCLG are setting up a housing advice centre in the UK to help find appropriate housing and will offer a bond to landlords in lieu of the required rental deposit. The UKBA have also introduced a new stamp on the visa which allows DWP to identify ex-Gurkhas who do not need to satisfy the Habitual Residence Test before benefits can be paid.In November 2009 and January this year several hundred ex-Gurkha representatives in Nepal were briefed by a joint MOD/UKBA team about the benefits of using the Kathmandu settlement office. A further communications exercise and additional consultation and briefings are planned in April. It is also intended to forward base some of the settlement office staff from Kathmandu to the east and west of Nepal to try and reach those who might not be able to travel to Kathmandu.A booklet in English and Nepali that explains the cost of living in the UK has been produced at the request of the ex-service organisations, and an updated and more comprehensive book about life in the UK will be issued in Nepal in April. The book, developed in association with ex-servicemen, the service charities and local authorities contains a wealth of information about living in the UK.To date, the cost of setting up and staffing the Settlement Office is some £20,000 and a similar budget has been earmarked for 2010-11.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1509-10W; 325684
House
House of Commons
(2) what (a) written and (b) other information is provided to Gurkha veterans seeking advice at his Department's resettlement office in Kathmandu, Nepal;
(2) what (a) written and (b) other information is provided to Gurkha veterans seeking advice at his Department's resettlement office in Kathmandu, Nepal;
Asked by
Nick Harvey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
6 April 2010
Answered on
8 April 2010
The Cross-Departmental Working Group was set up in June 2009 and has met formally on three occasions, twice in 2009 and once so far this year. As well as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Office and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs are members of the Working Group.The Working Group has also consulted with a wide range of welfare organisations in the course of its work, including the main Service charities: the Gurkha Welfare Trust; the Royal British Legion; ABF The Soldiers' Charity; the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; and Veterans Aid.The Gurkha Settlement Office in Kathmandu opened in October 2009 and to date has had nearly 5,000 visits from ex-Gurkhas and their families. The Government of Nepal and all ex-service organisations were briefed by MOD about the role of the office which is to provide free help and assistance with the settlement process. This includes information and education about life in the UK in order for the ex-Gurkhas to make an informed choice about settlement, and if they decide to apply for a visa help and advice filling out the visa form, help with finding and completing supporting documentation and a fast tracking system for issuing National Insurance numbers which facilitates claiming benefits in the UK. DCLG are setting up a housing advice centre in the UK to help find appropriate housing and will offer a bond to landlords in lieu of the required rental deposit. The UKBA have also introduced a new stamp on the visa which allows DWP to identify ex-Gurkhas who do not need to satisfy the Habitual Residence Test before benefits can be paid.In November 2009 and January this year several hundred ex-Gurkha representatives in Nepal were briefed by a joint MOD/UKBA team about the benefits of using the Kathmandu settlement office. A further communications exercise and additional consultation and briefings are planned in April. It is also intended to forward base some of the settlement office staff from Kathmandu to the east and west of Nepal to try and reach those who might not be able to travel to Kathmandu.A booklet in English and Nepali that explains the cost of living in the UK has been produced at the request of the ex-service organisations, and an updated and more comprehensive book about life in the UK will be issued in Nepal in April. The book, developed in association with ex-servicemen, the service charities and local authorities contains a wealth of information about living in the UK.To date, the cost of setting up and staffing the Settlement Office is some £20,000 and a similar budget has been earmarked for 2010-11.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
8 April 2010
Reference
508 c1509-10W; 325685
House
House of Commons
It is not discouraging. We could perhaps talk outside this debate about the way forward, when the right hon. Lady has considered the letter. Let me turn to the particular case. The right hon. Lady has outlined the background to it. It comes down to the point that a work...
It is not discouraging. We could perhaps talk outside this debate about the way forward, when the right hon. Lady has considered the letter. Let me turn to the particular case. The right hon. Lady has outlined the background to it. It comes down to the point that a work...
Member
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c948-50
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The right hon. Lady asks a difficult question of the enforcement officers and I would defend the enforcement officers, who use proportionate action. I remind the House that this lady was not removed, even though it was within the power of the officers to remove her. Of course, the work...
The right hon. Lady asks a difficult question of the enforcement officers and I would defend the enforcement officers, who use proportionate action. I remind the House that this lady was not removed, even though it was within the power of the officers to remove her. Of course, the work...
Member
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c950
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I think that I should apologise to the House on two counts. The first is because I said only a couple of days ago that I was making my last speech in this House, but that was before I realised that I was going to be lucky in the lottery...
I think that I should apologise to the House on two counts. The first is because I said only a couple of days ago that I was making my last speech in this House, but that was before I realised that I was going to be lucky in the lottery...
Member
Ann Widdecombe
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c945-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I should like to offer more than the traditional congratulations to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on securing this debate; she has now had two in two weeks. I would like to quote briefly from this week's House magazine, in which she has the...
I should like to offer more than the traditional congratulations to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on securing this debate; she has now had two in two weeks. I would like to quote briefly from this week's House magazine, in which she has the...
Member
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c947-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Does the Minister not agree that where there is a small and possibly unintended breach, a proportionate response is simply to let the person know of the breach, to require them to desist from it and to warn them that any future such breach will result in removal, rather than...
Does the Minister not agree that where there is a small and possibly unintended breach, a proportionate response is simply to let the person know of the breach, to require them to desist from it and to warn them that any future such breach will result in removal, rather than...
Member
Ann Widdecombe
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c950
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Is it encouraging?
Is it encouraging?
Member
Ann Widdecombe
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c948
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Adjournment debate on the case of Gladys Taulo.
Adjournment debate on the case of Gladys Taulo.
Lead member
Ann Widdecombe
Answering member
Phil Woolas
Department
Home Office
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Immigration; Work permits; Taulo, Gladys
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c945-50
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Gurkha veterans have claimed resettlement rights since August 2009; and how many of them are receiving (a) pension credit, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Gurkha veterans have claimed resettlement rights since August 2009; and how many of them are receiving (a) pension credit, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit.
Asked by
Nick Harvey
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Phil Woolas
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2010
For answer on
6 April 2010
Answered on
6 April 2010
Any former member of the Brigade of Gurkhas who served for four years or more is eligible to apply for settlement in the UK. Since we published our revised guidance in 2009 we have granted settlement to 2,179 individuals.The UK's benefit systems do not record the nationality of people receiving benefits because nationality is not a condition of entitlement.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
6 April 2010
Reference
508 c1270W; 325777
House
House of Commons
SI 2010/1109. With an explanatory memorandum from the Ministry of Justice. Coming into force 14 October 2010.
SI 2010/1109. With an explanatory memorandum from the Ministry of Justice. Coming into force 14 October 2010.
Department
Ministry of Justice
Type
Statutory instruments
Procedure
Negative
Laid on
31 March 2010
Made on
28 March 2010
Coming into force
14 October 2010
Legislation
Access to Justice Act 1999; Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2010
Subjects
Barristers; Asylum; Community Legal Service; Advocacy; Finance; Fees and charges; Legal aid scheme; Immigration; Legal costs
Commons Library location
UP 866 2009-10
Date
31 March 2010
Reference
SI 2010/1109
House
House of Commons; House of Lords
That this House notes that two of the Government's most senior professional advisers, the Children's Commissioner for England and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, have stated unequivocally that Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, near Bedford, is `no place for a child'; further notes that their detailed reports, published respectively in February and March 2010, catalogue compelling reasons for concluding that the welfare of children is `clearly and adversely affected' at Yarl's Wood; believes that the reports make shameful reading for a country which prides itself in having the welfare of children at the heart of its legislation; further notes that both reports recommend greater attention by the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and that the Children's Commissioner reports that the LSCB is already reviewing an allegation of sexually harmful behaviour between unrelated young children at Yarl's Wood; and further believes that immediate rectification is required to safeguard children in the Government's care at Yarl's Wood Immigration Centre.
That this House notes that two of the Government's most senior professional advisers, the Children's Commissioner for England and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, have stated unequivocally that Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, near Bedford, is `no place for a child'; further notes that their detailed reports, published respectively...
Primary sponsor
Jeremy Corbyn
(Labour)
Type
Early day motions
Subjects
Children; Immigration
Date
30 March 2010
Reference
1224
House
House of Commons
I have not read the paper, and I am not aware of the detail. I know that my hon. Friend has asked me a couple of questions, and, if he wants me to, I shall happily meet him so that he can expand on his concerns.
I have not read the paper, and I am not aware of the detail. I know that my hon. Friend has asked me a couple of questions, and, if he wants me to, I shall happily meet him so that he can expand on his concerns.
Answered by
Bob Ainsworth
(Labour)
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
May I ask the Secretary of State about an Unprinted Paper deposited in the Library by Group 4 Securicor, which calls it a ““concept paper””? The firm invites the Government to outsource comprehensively the"““Training Support and Regular Army Assistance Table””"
and the function that armed forces carry out in lieu of fire services when there is a pandemic—a term that is used in the paper—or industrial action. Will he repudiate that paper, say that it is a non-runner and confirm that this Labour Government will simply not entertain what it outlines? It would be a bridge too far.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c506
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
May I ask the Secretary of State about an Unprinted Paper deposited in the Library by Group 4 Securicor, which calls it a ““concept paper””? The firm invites the Government to outsource comprehensively the"““Training Support and Regular Army Assistance Table””"
and the function that armed forces carry out in lieu of fire services when there is a pandemic—a term that is used in the paper—or industrial action. Will he repudiate that paper, say that it is a non-runner and confirm that this Labour Government will simply not entertain what it outlines? It would be a bridge too far.
May I ask the Secretary of State about an Unprinted Paper deposited in the Library by Group 4 Securicor, which calls it a ““concept paper””? The firm invites the Government to outsource comprehensively the"““Training Support and Regular Army Assistance Table””"
and the function that armed forces carry out in lieu of fire services when there is a pandemic—a term that is used in the paper—or industrial action. Will he repudiate that paper, say that it is a non-runner and confirm that this Labour Government will simply not entertain what it outlines? It would be a bridge too far.
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 March 2010
I have not read the paper, and I am not aware of the detail. I know that my hon. Friend has asked me a couple of questions, and, if he wants me to, I shall happily meet him so that he can expand on his concerns.
Subjects
Armed forces; Fire and rescue services; Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c506
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I believe that it was a triumph for parliamentary democracy when Members from all parts of the House came together and backed the Liberal Democrat motion on the Gurkhas. Would the Minister care to reflect on and clarify the criticisms that have been levelled recently? In particular, will he withdraw, and apologise to Joanna Lumley for, the comments that he made?
I believe that it was a triumph for parliamentary democracy when Members from all parts of the House came together and backed the Liberal Democrat motion on the Gurkhas. Would the Minister care to reflect on and clarify the criticisms that have been levelled recently? In particular, will he withdraw, and apologise to Joanna Lumley for, the comments that he made?
Asked by
Bob Russell
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 March 2010
I already have, and any such comments were unintended. On the vote that took place last May, the Government have now put in place very robust procedures in Kathmandu to ensure that those Gurkhas who wish to settle here can do free of charge—without being charged in any way. However, I would like to put on the record my wholehearted condemnation of those middlemen and unscrupulous operators who are charging Gurkhas. If the hon. Gentleman, like me, had visited Aldershot last week, as I know the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) did, in order to see Gurkhas—many of them more than 60 years old—who have come here with expectations that, frankly, will never be realised, he would be rightly angry. I certainly am on that point.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c505-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Bob Russell
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
29 March 2010
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c505-6; 324473
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I already have, and any such comments were unintended. On the vote that took place last May, the Government have now put in place very robust procedures in Kathmandu to ensure that those Gurkhas who wish to settle here can do free of charge—without being charged in any way. However, I would like to put on the record my wholehearted condemnation of those middlemen and unscrupulous operators who are charging Gurkhas. If the hon. Gentleman, like me, had visited Aldershot last week, as I know the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) did, in order to see Gurkhas—many of them more than 60 years old—who have come here with expectations that, frankly, will never be realised, he would be rightly angry. I certainly am on that point.
I already have, and any such comments were unintended. On the vote that took place last May, the Government have now put in place very robust procedures in Kathmandu to ensure that those Gurkhas who wish to settle here can do free of charge—without being charged in any way. However, I would like to put on the record my wholehearted condemnation of those middlemen and unscrupulous operators who are charging Gurkhas. If the hon. Gentleman, like me, had visited Aldershot last week, as I know the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) did, in order to see Gurkhas—many of them more than 60 years old—who have come here with expectations that, frankly, will never be realised, he would be rightly angry. I certainly am on that point.
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Asked by
Bob Russell
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Oral answers to questions
I believe that it was a triumph for parliamentary democracy when Members from all parts of the House came together and backed the Liberal Democrat motion on the Gurkhas. Would the Minister care to reflect on and clarify the criticisms that have been levelled recently? In particular, will he withdraw, and apologise to Joanna Lumley for, the comments that he made?
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c505-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
(3) who leads the Cross-Departmental Working Group on Gurkha settlement policy.
(3) who leads the Cross-Departmental Working Group on Gurkha settlement policy.
Asked by
George Howarth
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Defence
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 March 2010
For answer on
25 March 2010
Answered on
29 March 2010
The Cross-Departmental Working Group was set up following the announcement on 21 May 2009 of the new immigration rules for retired Gurkhas. It has met formally on three occasions, twice in 2009 and once so far this year. The working group is jointly chaired by the Command Secretary, Headquarters Land Forces and the Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency. The Ministry of Defence leads across Government on Gurkha settlement issues, although most work is conducted multilaterally between Government Departments, local authorities, pressure groups and other agencies.The working group has consulted with a wide range of welfare organisations in the course of its work, including the main service charities: the Gurkha Welfare Trust; the Royal British Legion; ABF The Soldiers' Charity; the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association; and Veterans Aid. Informal consultations and briefings have also been held with the ex-Gurkha servicemen's organisation in the UK and in Nepal, including: the British Gurkha Welfare Society; the Regimental Associations Nepal; the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organisation; the United British Gurkhas Ex-Servicemen's Association Nepal; the Gurkha United Forum; and the Nepal Ex-Servicemen's Association.
Subjects
Immigration; Gurkhas
Date
29 March 2010
Reference
508 c643W; 324752
House
House of Commons