Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of recruiting foreign personnel into the Brigade of Gurkhas in each of the last five years.

The historic source of the Gurkhas goes back to 1815. The Brigade has conducted itself with distinction worldwide as part of Army operations.

The full cost of recruiting Nepali citizens into the Brigade of Gurkhas in each of the last five financial years (FY) is shown below:

FY 2012-13 - £838,500.00

FY 2013-14 - £898,400.00

FY 2014-15 - £900,100.00

FY 2015-16 - £972,000.00

FY 2016-17 - £970,100.00

These totals cover the complete costs to the British Army for running recruitment each year in Nepal, including military and civilian personnel, accommodation, medical, clothing, rations and transportation. These costs reflect the unique recruiting process conducted in Nepal.