NORTH East Herts MP Oliver Heald has backed the campaign for equal pensions for Gurkha soldiers. Mr Heald met Major Tikendra Dewan and other representatives of the Gurkhas this week, and was so impressed with their argument that he has signed an Early D

NORTH East Herts MP Oliver Heald has backed the campaign for equal pensions for Gurkha soldiers.

Mr Heald met Major Tikendra Dewan and other representatives of the Gurkhas this week, and was so impressed with their argument that he has signed an Early Day Motion supporting the campaign.

Currently, Gurkhas who retired before 1997 receive much smaller pensions than their British counterparts.

The North East Herts MP said: "My father was an officer in the RAF serving in the Far East in the Second World War and always spoke very highly of the Gurkhas. It is only right that they should have decent pensions and so I am happy to back this important campaign."

Mr Heald also plans to question Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, on the issue in the House of Commons.