XN000022-1997-02-18 — Page 14

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Hong Kong Garrison welcomes Gurkha improvements

The Hong Kong Garrison today (Tuesday) welcomed improvements in pay and conditions of service for British Gurkhas which will, for the first time, permit accompanied service in the United Kingdom.

Other improvements include an adjustment of financial allowances to give all Gurkhas roughly the same level of take-home pay as their British counterparts, no matter where in the world they may be serving.

"These improvements are much to be welcomed," Major General Bryan Dutton, Commander British Forces Hong Kong said.

"They will correct the anomalies which have developed over the years in the Gurkhas' terms and conditions of service. They are an appropriate and thoroughly justified response to the loyalty shown by all Gurkhas during a particularly difficult period.

"The Brigade of Gurkhas has shrunk by over 50 per cent in recent years and yet they have maintained their morale throughout.

"This has been a lengthy and complex review covering all aspects of Gurkha terms and conditions of service. It was unfortunate that it could not be completed before the bulk of the Brigade of Gurkhas moved to the United Kingdom, but many departments of States had to be consulted in addition to the Governments of India and Nepal.

"What was important was that the final package should be the right one. I believe that it is," Major General Dutton said.

After the announcement of the changes in the House of Commons yesterday, Gurkhas will be allowed accompanied service in the United Kingdom on the same basis that it previously existed in Hong Kong.

Under arrangements here, officers and senior non-commissioned officers with the longest service were able to have their families with them on a permanent basis, while sergeants and junior soldiers received "family permission" for at least three years during their first 15 years of service.