SECRET UK EYES A
SECRETARY
OF STATE
particularly as it would compound the controversy which will in any case accompany the legislation.
3. Although no Gurkhas serving here at the moment are accompanied,
the some 1,400 already based here could take advantage of current
legislation and obtain rights of settlement for their wives and
British nationality for any children born here. I think it
unlikely, however, that any significant number of those currently
serving in the UK would make their own arrangements to bring their
wives here to take advantage of existing rights. If the outcome of
the Options work results in the retention of a UK-based Gurkha force there would be ample time to legislate in a separate Bill.
4.
In sum,
controversy.
the proposed legislation will inevitably cause
The question is whether it is better to face that
problem now when there remains uncertainty over the future size and
shape of the Brigade of Gurkhas, or to tackle it once fresh
conclusions have been reached. I strongly recommend the latter
course of action. This would also have the distinct advantage of
enabling the Armed Forces Bill to follow its traditional course as a
non-partisan review of the Services' disciplinary arrangements, and
hence of avoiding potential handling difficulties. This course has
the strong support of the Business Managers in both Houses, who
point to the need for us to manage next session's legislative
programme with the minimum of delay and disruption to major bills.
I should be grateful for OD's agreement to this course of action.
5. I am copying this minute to other members of OD, the Home
Secretary, the Attorney General, Bertie Denham, Tim Renton and Sir
Robin Butler.
Ministry of Defence 22 October 1990
SECRET UK EYES A
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(TK)