To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has in respect of the provision of (a) pension entitlements and (b) other benefits entitlements to Gurkha soldiers who retired from active service in the UK armed forces more than 10 years ago. (139775)

It is not planned to review the position of those ex-Gurkha service pensioners who retired before 1 July 1997. They were discharged with an expectation of retirement in Nepal and will continue to receive benefits under the Gurkha pension scheme. These are uplifted annually for inflation in Nepal and are periodically reviewed in line with the Indian Pay Commission.