Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Leo Docherty Excerpts
Monday 18th February 2019

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call Ross Thomson. Where is the fella? He is not here. I am sorry that he is not here, but Leo Docherty is.

Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty (Aldershot) (Con)
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The Brigade of Gurkhas has given courageous and loyal service to this country for two centuries. Does the Minister agree that it would be a good idea for us to recruit more of them?

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Portrait The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Lancaster)
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I started my military career in the Brigade of Gurkhas, so I declare an interest in that I am biased for obvious reasons. My hon. Friend’s question is timely. We recruit once a year and recruited 400 Gurkhas last year, which is within our agreement with the Government of Nepal. I am travelling to Nepal later this week for further negotiations with the Nepali Government about the future use of Gurkhas.