HEREFORD’S MP has welcomed the Government’s change in policy to allow many former Ghurka soliders to live in the United Kingdom.

Paul Keetch made his opinion clear when he spoke in the House of Commons following the decision to allow all former Gurkhas who have served for four years within the British Army to settle in the UK.

The Liberal Democrat said: “I recall working with the right hon. member for Chingford and Woodford Green on this issue five or six years ago, when I spoke for my party on defence and he had the same responsibilities for the Conservative party.

“The Home Secretary will realise that Gurkhas have continued to fight and to die for this country during that period.”

But Mr Keetch said there was still work to be done and asked the Home Secretary, Jackie Smith, to give other Nepalese nationals the option of making Britain their home.

“Will she consider whether the dependants and families of those who served and were killed or died from old age, including a Victoria cross recipient just, I think, two weeks ago, should also be entitled to this welcome change?”