Hull MP's delight at Labour's new rights for Gurkhas

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today welcomed the Home Secretary's announcement on the right of former members of the Brigade of Gurkhas to live in the UK.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I recently met with a Hull North constituent Jonathan Major, who had served in the Royal Navy for 23 years. He spoke to me with great passion about the exceptional case of the Gurkhas. I have also spoken to him on the telephone this morning about today's news.

"The Government today announced in the House of Commons that all those former Gurkhas who were discharged before 1997, and also served for longer than four years, will be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK.

"This is the latest stage in the phased extension of Gurkha resettlement rights that was started by the Labour Government in 2004. No previous British government had allowed any UK settlement rights to Gurkhas.

"I am delighted that the Government has found a way to take this matter forward that gives a fair deal for the Gurkhas, while not setting precedents for wider immigration policy. The Government must take great care to protect the interests of British taxpayers on migration policy.

"The Gurkhas have played a distinguished role in our armed services and deserve to be treated fairly. The Labour Government has been doing this. No previous government did."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith MP said: "Generations of Gurkhas have served the United Kingdom with great courage, sacrifice and distinction and they continue to make a vital and valued contribution to our operations around the world.

"Following the clear view expressed by the House of Commons, we have now amended our guidance to ensure that all Gurkhas who served for four years or more can apply to settle in the UK. We will now welcome all those former Gurkhas who wish to live in the UK and we will begin to work through the outstanding cases that have not yet been granted settlement."

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