MPs revisit inquiries on domestic violence and on Gurkhas

• Video and Audio: Home Affairs Committee evidence sessions
• Home Affairs Committee
• Report: Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and 'Honour'-Based Violence
• Parliament News: Evidence session on Gurkhas settlement rights

Follow up: Domestic violence, forced marriage and honour-based violence

Witnesses

10.30 am

• Davina James-Hanman, Greater London Domestic Violence Project
• Nazir Afzal, Crown Prosecution Service
• Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office

Gurkhas inquiry

A one-off evidence session to follow up the Committee’s evidence taken in November 2008 and May 2009 in light of the Government’s decision on 21 May 2009 to extend settlement rights to all Gurkhas following a recommendation made by the Committee.

Witnesses

11.45 am

• Tim Heaver, Solicitor representing Gurkha veterans
• A Gurkha veteran (name tbc)

12.05 pm

• Kevan Jones MP, Minister for Veterans, Ministry of Defence
• Margaret Gilmour, Assistant Head Land Forces Secretariat, Ministry of Defence
• Jonathan Sedgwick, Deputy Chief Executive, UK Border Agency

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Committee, said:

"Following on from the Government’s decision to extend settlement rights to all Gurkhas which was made in light of recommendations made by the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Committee are keen to re-visit the issue to learn if the process is working smoothly and to highlight any concerns.

"Last May was a historic victory for the Gurkhas but we are keen to establish if the Government has followed through with their promises and to assess how the settlement process is being implemented. There have been reports of unscrupulous agents illegally charging fees for UK visas in Nepal.

"Although Gurkhas have gained the right to come to the UK to live and work, it is important to ensure that the process by which they arrive here and settle is without difficulties."