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Gerald Howarth's Nepalese immigration letter in full

February 14, 2011

The following is the full text of a letter sent by Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot, to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron MP.

January 25, 2011

Dear Prime Minister

I am writing to draw your attention to an issue of grave concern across my constituency, affecting residents of Aldershot and Farnborough.

The problem relates to the inward migration of Nepalese as a direct result of the 2009 High Court ruling – endorsed by the previous government and supported by the Conservative and Liberal Democratic parties – which, as you know, gave all Gurkhas retiring prior to 1997 the right to settle in the UK, together with their dependants.

This has had a very significant impact over a very short period of time and it is now estimated that 10% of the Borough of Rushmoor’s population of approximately 90,000 is Nepalese.

This issue is of deep concern to the local authority and its Leader as their services are in danger of being overwhelmed by this influx, as are those provided by the National Health Service, Citizens Advice Bureaux and local schools.

Some GP practices are struggling to cope. It is also causing immense tensions within the community which are exacerbated by the difficulties encountered by the Nepalese in integrating into the settled community, particularly given the low levels of literacy and often limited understanding of English.

Whilst recent ex-Gurkha soldiers generally have a good command of English, virtually all elderly former soldiers never served in the UK, and the dependants have little grasp of our language.

The Nepalese themselves have a strong sense of independence and are seeking to make arrangements for their own housing which has often led to an increased number of houses in multiple occupation and overcrowding which impacts on the regulatory services, as well as on immediate neighbours.

I have discussed the matter with Ministerial colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office.

The MoD asserts that it is a Home Office matter, whilst Damien Green says that there is nothing the Home Office can do to disperse the new arrivals. I have thus arrived at a stalemate.

My constituents cannot tolerate this massive and rapid change to their towns, so doing nothing is not an option. I have a constructive proposal to offer and would appreciate the chance to put it to you.

Yours ever

Gerald

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Most recent user comments 8 of 8

As an aldershot resident all my life, i have watched aldershot go to pot, shopping in the towncentre is a joke. When you mention aldershot years ago people asked what it was like living in a place called "the home of the british army". Now you get asked how come aldershot is is full of nepalese. They seem to go around in big groups and a lot of our elderly residents feel intimidated by it. Every communual building we have (library, health centre, citizens advice), seems to be inundated with them. Let us have our town back. Maybe joanna lumley can accomodate them in her town.

titch67
16/08/2011 at 08:16

Much needed, and well overdue!

Disgusting that nothing will even happen to sort it though...

Guess that's what the Aldershot Urban Extension's for...

Can things get any worse..?

local_resident, North Camp
23/02/2011 at 22:09

@Katya, North Town --- ''It cetainly feels more like Katmandu now."

When did you last visit Katmandu?

unhappy (now disgusted)
22/02/2011 at 23:40

I think Mr Howarth has had courage to explain the situation in Aldershot. It cetainly feels more like Katmandu now. I doubt that David Cameron will understand or take any action somehow but I do support Mr Howarth over this matter.

Katya, North Town
22/02/2011 at 15:03

I must admitt I am not a big fan of Howarth but this letter is well put

Wayno, aldershot
16/02/2011 at 14:58

What are you doing Mr Howarth to lessen the burden that you are to the British tax payers?

Why do you need a large detached house for a weekend visit to the Constituency?

Who will get the profit made from the sale of the house for which the tax payer has been paying the mortgage?

Why did you not act before in the last 13 years to head off this issue? - Lack of foresight or lack of self-interest?

unhappy (now disgusted)
16/02/2011 at 12:35

Well put

Outermongolian
15/02/2011 at 17:33

Nicely put Mr Howarth I think that sums up the concerns of all my friends and acquaintances perfectly. Sadly it appears to have fallen on deaf ears at number 10.