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1605505

registered interest
date	20/03/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Gurkhas: Military Alliances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of replacing the tripartite agreement governing Gurkha terms of service with a bilateral agreement; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	169240
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2023 answer text <p>The Tri-Partite Agreement 1947 has not been replaced but continues to provide the formal basis for the employment of the Brigade of Gurkhas (BoG) within the British Army. Since 2007 Gurkhas have served on the same basis as the remainder of the British Army apart from specific requirements to maintain the unique position of the BoG.</p><p> </p><p>The UK and Nepal share an exceptionally long and unique partnership. We are committed to deepening our strategic partnership with Nepal and delivering our shared security and prosperity interests.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 23/03/2023 11:55:34 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1602498

registered interest
date	08/03/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2023 to Question 156940 on Armed Forces, if his Department will send the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall a copy of JSP 822.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	161259
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2023 answer text <p>Joint Service Publication (JSP) 822 is available on the gov.uk website and can be found at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills</a></p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 13/03/2023 11:51:33 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1600773

registered interest
date	02/03/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces and Veterans: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department keeps a list of (a) approved and (b) unapproved (i) courses and (ii) subjects for Standard Learning Credits for (A) serving members of the armed forces and (B) veterans.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	156939
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/03/2023 answer text <p>The Standard Learning Credits (SLC) Scheme provides financial support throughout a Service persons’ career to enhance their educational and vocational achievements in service. It allows for multiple, small-scale learning purposes and courses that have been approved by their Line Manager and discussed with Education Staff as part of a Service persons’ Personal Development Plan. Veterans are not eligible for the SLC scheme unless specific criteria are met, as outlined in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 534 – Tri Service Resettlement and Employment Support Manual.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Defence does not maintain a list of individual courses eligible for SLCs. Instead, Defence has criteria which a course must meet in order to be eligible for a Service person to use SLCs on. This is set out in JSP 882, Section 2.3 Eligibility to Claim: <a href="https://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/uploads/documents/jsp_822_-_vol_9_-_elective_education_-_v5_-_sept_2022.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/uploads/documents/jsp_822_-_vol_9_-_elective_education_-_v5_-_sept_2022.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 07/03/2023 12:28:21 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1564200

registered interest
date	06/01/2023
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish Land Forces Standing Order 3208.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	117547
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2023 answer text <p>The Land Forces Standing Order 3208 was superseded by Army General Administrative Instruction (AGAI) 57, which was last updated in October 2022. This AGAI is an internal document intended for Army personnel which outlines best practices on how to manage Service personnel and as such would not be made routinely available. However, I will arrange for a copy to be sent to you.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 11/01/2023 14:25:52 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1543892

registered interest
date	21/11/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Gurkhas: Conditions of Employment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	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.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	92155
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2022 answer text <p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 24/11/2022 17:35:34 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1543553

registered interest
date	18/11/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Gurkhas: Conditions of Employment and Pay
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of equalising (a) pensions and (b) all other pay, allowances and entitlements for Gurkha soldiers to the British Army standard.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	90780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government greatly values the unique contribution that the Gurkhas have made and continue to make to the UK, and remains committed to providing Gurkhas a fair pension, including uplifts determined by formal review processes.</p><p> </p><p>Gurkha terms and conditions of service were initially set by the 1947 Tripartite Agreement and were altered as the Brigade’s circumstance changed over the years. Since 2007 Gurkhas have served on the same basis as the remainder of the British Army apart from specific conditions to maintain the Brigade of Gurkhas.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2007, Gurkhas have also received the same pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) as the rest of the UK Armed Forces. Gurkhas who had served beyond 1997 were given the option to transfer to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. For those who served prior to 2007, the 1948 Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) provides a pension over their lifetime at least as good, and in many cases better, than that given to their British counterparts with identical periods of service. Whilst GPS pensions are smaller, most are paid for longer; from as early as age 33, whereas the AFPS pays a pension only from age 60/65.</p><p> </p><p>The Defence Secretary has not had discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding uprating legacy Gurkha pensions as retrospective changes or improvements generally are not made to public service pension schemes. This policy applies across the whole of the public sector.</p><p> </p><p>The GPS remains linked to the Indian Army pension scheme. Changes are introduced every 10 years when the Indian Central Pay Commission (CPC) adjusts the levels of pay and pensions for personnel in the Indian Army. A public consultation in 2020/2021 sought views on how the 7th CPC should be implemented in relation to the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>Following the consultation, Ministers decided that 140% of the Indian rates, with a minimum of 10% for those already above 140%, was the most appropriate level to implement the 7th CPC for the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>When the 7th CPC changes were implemented, the government also implemented new groupings and structures for disability pensions. Full information on legacy GPS Disability Pensions is available in the Gurkha Pension Scheme Manual, Chapter Three, available on gov.uk.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also chosen to work with a charity, the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), to provide healthcare for its veterans and their families in Nepal. The GWT is part-funded by a grant-in-aid from MOD, and in 2018, the Army made a grant of £25 million over ten years to the GWT, specifically to improve the provision of healthcare, including secondary care, for our veterans in Nepal.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 90781 90782 question first answered 23/11/2022 17:17:50 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1543555

registered interest
date	18/11/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Gurkhas: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to increase existing Gurkha medical pensions to the British Army rate; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	90781
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government greatly values the unique contribution that the Gurkhas have made and continue to make to the UK, and remains committed to providing Gurkhas a fair pension, including uplifts determined by formal review processes.</p><p> </p><p>Gurkha terms and conditions of service were initially set by the 1947 Tripartite Agreement and were altered as the Brigade’s circumstance changed over the years. Since 2007 Gurkhas have served on the same basis as the remainder of the British Army apart from specific conditions to maintain the Brigade of Gurkhas.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2007, Gurkhas have also received the same pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) as the rest of the UK Armed Forces. Gurkhas who had served beyond 1997 were given the option to transfer to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. For those who served prior to 2007, the 1948 Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) provides a pension over their lifetime at least as good, and in many cases better, than that given to their British counterparts with identical periods of service. Whilst GPS pensions are smaller, most are paid for longer; from as early as age 33, whereas the AFPS pays a pension only from age 60/65.</p><p> </p><p>The Defence Secretary has not had discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding uprating legacy Gurkha pensions as retrospective changes or improvements generally are not made to public service pension schemes. This policy applies across the whole of the public sector.</p><p> </p><p>The GPS remains linked to the Indian Army pension scheme. Changes are introduced every 10 years when the Indian Central Pay Commission (CPC) adjusts the levels of pay and pensions for personnel in the Indian Army. A public consultation in 2020/2021 sought views on how the 7th CPC should be implemented in relation to the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>Following the consultation, Ministers decided that 140% of the Indian rates, with a minimum of 10% for those already above 140%, was the most appropriate level to implement the 7th CPC for the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>When the 7th CPC changes were implemented, the government also implemented new groupings and structures for disability pensions. Full information on legacy GPS Disability Pensions is available in the Gurkha Pension Scheme Manual, Chapter Three, available on gov.uk.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also chosen to work with a charity, the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), to provide healthcare for its veterans and their families in Nepal. The GWT is part-funded by a grant-in-aid from MOD, and in 2018, the Army made a grant of £25 million over ten years to the GWT, specifically to improve the provision of healthcare, including secondary care, for our veterans in Nepal.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 90780 90782 question first answered 23/11/2022 17:17:50 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1543556

registered interest
date	18/11/2022
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Gurkhas: Pensions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on uprating Gurkha pensions.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	90782
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government greatly values the unique contribution that the Gurkhas have made and continue to make to the UK, and remains committed to providing Gurkhas a fair pension, including uplifts determined by formal review processes.</p><p> </p><p>Gurkha terms and conditions of service were initially set by the 1947 Tripartite Agreement and were altered as the Brigade’s circumstance changed over the years. Since 2007 Gurkhas have served on the same basis as the remainder of the British Army apart from specific conditions to maintain the Brigade of Gurkhas.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2007, Gurkhas have also received the same pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) as the rest of the UK Armed Forces. Gurkhas who had served beyond 1997 were given the option to transfer to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. For those who served prior to 2007, the 1948 Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) provides a pension over their lifetime at least as good, and in many cases better, than that given to their British counterparts with identical periods of service. Whilst GPS pensions are smaller, most are paid for longer; from as early as age 33, whereas the AFPS pays a pension only from age 60/65.</p><p> </p><p>The Defence Secretary has not had discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding uprating legacy Gurkha pensions as retrospective changes or improvements generally are not made to public service pension schemes. This policy applies across the whole of the public sector.</p><p> </p><p>The GPS remains linked to the Indian Army pension scheme. Changes are introduced every 10 years when the Indian Central Pay Commission (CPC) adjusts the levels of pay and pensions for personnel in the Indian Army. A public consultation in 2020/2021 sought views on how the 7th CPC should be implemented in relation to the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>Following the consultation, Ministers decided that 140% of the Indian rates, with a minimum of 10% for those already above 140%, was the most appropriate level to implement the 7th CPC for the GPS.</p><p> </p><p>When the 7th CPC changes were implemented, the government also implemented new groupings and structures for disability pensions. Full information on legacy GPS Disability Pensions is available in the Gurkha Pension Scheme Manual, Chapter Three, available on gov.uk.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also chosen to work with a charity, the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), to provide healthcare for its veterans and their families in Nepal. The GWT is part-funded by a grant-in-aid from MOD, and in 2018, the Army made a grant of £25 million over ten years to the GWT, specifically to improve the provision of healthcare, including secondary care, for our veterans in Nepal.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 90780 90781 question first answered 23/11/2022 17:17:50 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1172227

registered interest
date	21/01/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Genito-urinary Medicine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure that young women in developing countries who (a) unmarried and (b) are mothers can access contraceptive and sexual and reproductive health and rights services.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	6054
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State recently announced that the UK would step up efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children by 2030. Universal health coverage, including access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is central to these efforts.</p><p>Our health and SRHR programmes aim to understand and overcome the barriers for excluded groups, to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable within society, including those with disabilities, are able to access services. All our SRHR programmes target adolescent girls. We also work to address the needs of ethnic groups in particular countries.</p><p>At the UN General Assembly in 2019, the Secretary of State for International Development announce funding of £600 million over 2020-2025 that will provide millions more women and girls with access to family planning.</p><p>The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health reproductive health programme uses innovative ways to identify and reach the poorest and most marginalised adolescent girls and women with essential services across 27 countries. Our support to the Robert Carr Fund, Amplify Change and the Safe Abortion Action Fund all support grassroots organisations to campaign for and promote access to the most marginalised populations’ sexual and reproductive health services and rights.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 6055 6056 question first answered 27/01/2020 17:08:46 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1172228

registered interest
date	21/01/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Genito-urinary Medicine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) indigenous women and (b) other minority groups in developing countries can access contraceptive and sexual and reproductive health and rights services.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	6055
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/01/2020 answer text <p>The Secretary of State recently announced that the UK would step up efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children by 2030. Universal health coverage, including access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is central to these efforts.</p><p>Our health and SRHR programmes aim to understand and overcome the barriers for excluded groups, to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable within society, including those with disabilities, are able to access services. All our SRHR programmes target adolescent girls. We also work to address the needs of ethnic groups in particular countries.</p><p>At the UN General Assembly in 2019, the Secretary of State for International Development announce funding of £600 million over 2020-2025 that will provide millions more women and girls with access to family planning.</p><p>The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health reproductive health programme uses innovative ways to identify and reach the poorest and most marginalised adolescent girls and women with essential services across 27 countries. Our support to the Robert Carr Fund, Amplify Change and the Safe Abortion Action Fund all support grassroots organisations to campaign for and promote access to the most marginalised populations’ sexual and reproductive health services and rights.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison grouped question UIN 6054 6056 question first answered 27/01/2020 17:08:46 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma