Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the Nepalese Government and (b) Gurkha Representatives in the UK on (i) Gurkha pensions and (ii) other entitlements since their meeting in September 2021; and whether he has taken steps to arrange further discussions.

Since September 2021, there have been several meetings held between the Ministry of Defence and the Government of Nepal to discuss the UK-Nepal relationship and the formation of the Bilateral Gurkha Committee. I attended the inaugural Bilateral Gurkha Committee meeting on 3 November 2022 alongside His Excellency, Gyan Chandra Acharya, the Ambassador of Nepal, and Gurkha veteran representatives. I have asked MOD officials to work with the Gurkha community and Service charities to fully understand the issues and welfare concerns both in Nepal and here in the UK, with a follow up meeting at official level due to take place later this month.