Oral Answers to Questions — India – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 March 1947.
Mr Frederick Skinnard
, Harrow East
12:00,
17 March 1947
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a statement about the future of the Gurkha Brigade.
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
The employment of Gurkhas in the future Indian Army is now under consideration by the Government of India, and the question whether any Gurkha troops will be available for employment under His Majesty's Government must await discussions between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of India and Nepal. It is hoped that these discussions will take place shortly.
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan
, Perth
Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the Gurkhas will not serve under an Indian Government but will serve under the British Government, and will he give them every opportunity for service elsewhere than in India?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
I am not prepared to go beyond the statement that this question is to be the subject of consultations between the three Governments concerned.
Sir Arthur Salter
, Oxford University
Would not the Minister give his personal attention to our moral responsibilities in regard to the Gurkhas, having regard to the character of their long association with us and the difficulty of their present situation?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
I would certainly like to say that as far as His Majesty's Government can, they will seek to secure fair and just treatment for these gallant soldiers.
Mr Samuel Silverman
, Nelson and Colne
Will my right hon. and learned Friend undertake that the House will not, in any circumstances, be asked to pass in this connection a Gurkha Resettlement Bill?
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
Are there not many more Gurkha battalions than one brigade?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
I would not like to say the exact number of battalions.
Mr David Gammans
, Hornsey
Are any negotiations going on between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Nepal with regard to the employment of Gurkhas in the British Army, quite apart from whether or not they may be used in ale Indian Army?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
I am not prepared to go beyond the terms of the answer which I have already given.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
