THE DEFENCE COMMITTEE
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We now have a problem with our Report, which we are considering at the We cannot do this in respect of other deploy- ments, because we do not know the facts-and I emphasise the facts, not "advice to Ministers".
Moreover, some of my colleagues are ready to put the worst construction on matters: that the deployments under consideration are open to serious criticism. on practical and political grounds. I would not wish to see such views appear in our Report.
I hope that in the circumstances you will be able to let us 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?"
Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chairman of the Committee, 2 February 1989
Thank you for your letter of 26th January seeking further information in response to the three questions you had previously posed to us.
The Questions you raise seem to me rather different from the exchange with Simon Glenarthur on
That referred to a factual situation, albeit a classified one, on which Simon was able to explain existing policy. Your questions to me seek information on which options for the future deployment of the Gurkhas have been investigated and with what result. That clearly touches on the identification and consideration by officials of specific future policy options on which Ministers have not yet taken a view. In these circumstances I do not feel able to answer your questions in the terms in which they have been put.