Downing Street Says

Asked about the timescale for any new proposals on the Gurkhas, and whether a definitive decision was expected before the summer recess, the PMS said that position was as set out by Phil Woolas and Kevin Jones and by the Prime Minister in the House in PMQs earlier which is that we have brought forward the date for considering outstanding applications to the end of May. Government had said it would consider the outstanding 1,500 applications by the end of May, and based on that work it would come forward with proposals for the next stage of reform and he would expect those to be published before the summer recess.

Asked whether there had been movement on the side of the Prime Minister in considering Ms Lumley s proposals, because prior to this he had been insisting it would cost too much and set a precedent, the PMS said he would not characterise it in those terms. The PMS commented that the Government had said it would take this forward stage by stage, taking into account the wider issues, but it had done a lot for the Gurkhas and appreciated the contribution the Gurkhas have made and that the Government did want to look at what more it could do.

The PMS reiterated what the Prime Minister was saying in the House earlier – that the Government would look at the outstanding 1,500 cases, with applications to be completed by the end of May and would then use that as the basis for the wider review that is taking place.

Asked whether the Prime Minister apologised to Joanna Lumley for not replying to her letters, the PMS said he was not in the meeting and would not be giving a detailed account of it. In terms of Joanna Lumley s views on the meeting and the Prime Minister, the PMS said it was best to refer to her statement, which had just been made. But the PMS said he would say it was a friendly, constructive meeting and followed the meeting the Home Secretary had had with her in May.

Asked whether when referring to Joanna Lumley s proposals, if the PMS meant the idea that all Gurkhas should be allowed to settle if they wanted to or whether Joanna Lumley had put something more specific to the PM, the PMS said it was not for him to explain Joanna Lumley s position. He commented that she and the Prime Minister had a useful discussion, she had made a number of points and the Government s position is that it will consider these as part of the next stage of the review of policy.

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» Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Gurkhas

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