To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Congleton to the Ministry of Defence transferred to her Department on 21 November 2008, Ref M21908/8, on retirement provisions for Gurkha soldiers, sent on behalf of a constituent Mr. K Chippendale. (270503)

In September 2008, the High Court agreed that the 1997 cut-off date applied to retired Gurkhas was sound and not discriminatory. However, it did find that the policy guidance relating to the treatment of Gurkhas discharged before 1997 was not sufficiently clear and did not cover service-related factors. We are determined to get the revised guidance right to ensure that it is fair to all Gurkhas and this has involved consultation across Government.

The revised guidance for Gurkhas who retired before July 1997 and who wish to seek settlement in the UK will be published by 24 April. We want to give Members the fullest possible information and we therefore plan to write to them on or soon after that date with an explanation of our revised guidance.