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17/06/08 : Council to be asked to back Gurkhas’ rights
Former Mayor Cllr. Richard Stainthorp is to call on Reading Borough Council at its meeting on 24 June to throw its weight behind the United British-Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association’s campaign for Gurkhas’ rights, and in particular giving Gurkhas who have served in the British army, and their families, fast track eligibility for either the right to remain in the UK or British citizenship.
The resolution stems from a reception held by the then Mayor Cllr. Chris Maskell last month at which Gurkha representatives explained the background to the Campaign for Gurkha Rights to members of the Reading community. It asks both Reading MPs to sign Early Day Motions in support of the Gurkhas, and the Chief Executive to write to the Local Government Association, other Councils and the Prime Minister on the Gurkhas’ behalf.
The full text of the resolution is below.
Richard Stainthorp says: “There are many Gurkhas in Reading, and I was very moved by what they said at the reception about the hardship many are suffering notwithstanding years of service with the British army. With the United British-Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association havingits head office in the town, it is absolutely right that Reading should take a lead on this issue and I would expect the resolution to have the unanimous support of the whole Council.”
GURKHA RIGHTS
This Council notes and welcomes the opening in Reading of the first UK office of the United British-Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association.
This Council thanks the former Mayor of Reading, Cllr Chris Maskell, for hosting a reception during which representatives of the Gurkhas explained the background to the Campaign for Gurkha Rights to members of the Reading community..
This Council notes that Gurkhas have played an active front line part in the British Army’s activities in times of war and peace for nearly 200 years. In this period approximately 300,000 have fought alongside United Kingdom soldiers, with 45,000 of them being either killed or wounded.
This Council notes that the Government announced in September 2004 a change in immigration rules that allowed Gurkhas who had served in the British Army to settle in the United Kingdom with their families.
This Council notes with concern however that this offer has only been extended to cover those Gurkhas who had served at least four years and been discharged after 1st July 1997.
This Council believes that, given the exceptional service they have given to the United Kingdom, Gurkhas and their families should be given fast track eligibility for either the right to remain or citizenship.
This Council:
Urges Reading M.P’s to support Early Day Motions that seek to extend Gurkha rights.
Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Local Government Association asking them to lobby the Government on this matter.
Instructs the Chief Executive to write to all other Councils in the United Kingdom asking them to support the Campaign for Gurkha Rights.
Instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister urging an urgent review of the treatment of all Gurkhas and their families in respect of their right to remain, citizenship and pensions.
Asks the Chief Executive to view sympathetically any request from Reading Gurkhas for a street collection in aid of Gurkhas living in Reading who are suffering financial hardship.
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