ANISH CASTANORITY.
THE DEFENCE COMMITTEE
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APPENDIX E
EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ON GURKHA DEPLOYMENTS (see paragraph 14 of the Report)
Minutes of Evidence, 26 October 1988
Mr Sayeed
38. So is that the only place that you would exclude from places where the British Army are stationed, or operate?
(Mr Bevan) We are considering future policy here. I think it very unlikely that the deployment of infantry units, anyway, to Northern Ireland would, in current circumstances, be regarded as an acceptable option. Apart from that, of all the other locations mentioned I do not think there are reasons of principle against the deployment of Gurkhas there.
39. Are there any places where the British Army are not stationed that are being considered for redeployment of Gurkhas-for instance, possibly the Gulf States, which has been mentioned in some newspaper reports?
(Mr Bevan) I do not think I want to answer the question of whether other places are being considered. Clearly, there are possible options.
Chairman
40. Is that something, perhaps, you could help us more in private over? (Mr Bevan) I think probably not, Chairman.
Question transmitted to the MoD during the Committee's visit to the Far East
Has the Ministry investigated the possibility of deploying Gurkhas to any country where they have not so far been stationed? Are such deployments still under consideration?
Extract from the MoD Memorandum of 2 December 1988:
As Tables 1 and 2 [of deployments and exercises] show, the Gurkhas have exercised in a wide range of locations. In principle, and given sufficient training, there is no reason why Gurkha infantry should not be able to fulfil any of the UK's current war roles. Clearly, the deployment options available is one of the factors that will determine the future of the Gurkhas, with particular consider- ation being given to the need to meet the operational requirements of the Army and Defence as a whole.
Extract from a letter from the Clerk of the Committee, 12 January
It may be that [the above] answer is intended to be the answer to some different question, and appears [in the Memorandum] by mistake. The Committee would be grateful to know:
1. Whether the possibility of deploying Gurkhas, other than on exercise, to any country where they have not so far been stationed has been considered by the Ministry;
2. If so, which countries and what level of deployment has been considered; 3. What is the present status of any such possibility?
The Committee will be content with a classified answer to these questions should one be necessary.
Extracts from a letter from the Private Secretary to the Secretary of State, 18 January, and from the MoD Memorandum of the same date.
As you acknowledge, Question 3 of your letter reiterates an earlier request information which was also raised at the Oral Evidence session on 26th Octoł We have tried to be as helpful as possible in our answer, while staying wit