Clegg, Leech, Brooke and Mulholland quiz PM

11.45.17am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 21st Mar 2008

[Mar 19] Nicholas Clegg (Sheffield, Hallam, Liberal Democrat): Two hours ago a retired Gurkha soldier handed over this medal to me in protest . .

. . at the Government's refusal to grant him British citizenship. Does the Prime Minister know what it means for a loyal British soldier to give up a medal that he won for his long years of service to this country? Can he explain to the Gurkhas why on earth he believes that Gurkhas who have served in the Army after 1997 are worthy of British citizenship, but those who served before that date should be deported?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister): Let me also pay a tribute to the Gurkhas. They have been in existence since 1815. They have served loyally in every part of the world, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they fought with Prince Harry over the past few months. They have done a tremendous job for our country. We are the first Government to have given Gurkhas the right to a pension, for those serving after 1997. We are the first to have given equal pay to the Gurkhas. We are the first to have dealt with the problems of married accommodation, and we are the first to say that after four years in the Army they will have the right to residence in this country. Those are changes that we have brought about. Why is the date 1997? It is the date that the Gurkhas, once based in Hong Kong, moved to be based in Britain. That is why we are honouring the promises that we made for the period after 1997.

Nicholas Clegg: That is a technical argument on a moral issue. It is a spectacular misjudgment from the man who signed the cheques for the Iraq war, but has never had the moral courage to take responsibility for it. After five years of conflict in Iraq- [Interruption.]

Michael Martin (Speaker): Order. Let the right hon. Gentleman speak. [Interruption.] Order.

Nicholas Clegg: After five years of conflict in Iraq- [Interruption.]

Michael Martin (Speaker): Order.

Nicholas Clegg: After five years of conflict in Iraq, at the cost of 175 British soldiers' lives, over 600,000 Iraqi civilians and £7 billion of taxpayers' money, will the Prime Minister tell the House today whether he has any regrets about his decision to support and pay for the war in Iraq?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister): There is a democracy in Iraq as a result of the changes that have been brought about. Millions of children are getting the benefit of education, vaccination and health care services as a result. We are rebuilding, with the Iraqis, the economy of Iraq. I do not believe that the right hon. Gentleman wants to go back to a situation where Saddam Hussein was in control of Iraq.

. . Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset & North Poole, Liberal Democrat): 2008 is the year of reading. Is the Prime Minister aware that many visually impaired and dyslexic children cannot obtain vital textbooks in accessible formats? Last year, the Government made a welcome commitment to improve the provision of such materials. Will he ensure that that commitment is delivered?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister): I had the privilege of being at the launch of the national year of reading. It is very important to encourage all children to get the benefits of reading. The hon. Lady rightly raises the problem of dyslexic children and others who are in need of special help. I will look at everything that she says on that matter and write to her.

. . John Leech (Manchester, Withington, Liberal Democrat): My constituent, Adela Mahoro Mugabo, who is HIV positive after being raped and tortured in Rwanda, is threatened with being sent back to that country, where she will not be able to access the treatment that she requires to stay alive. Will the Prime Minister intervene to stop that travesty of justice?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister): I am very happy to look at the case that the hon. Gentleman mentions. Obviously, there is no reason to believe that people being returned to Rwanda, which is now a peaceful country, will be tortured or in difficulties as a result of that. If there is an issue about the treatment of this particular patient, we will obviously consider it.

. . Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat): Yesterday, I was pleased to present a petition to the Prime Minister on behalf of my constituent, Mr. Ali Pourkaberian, an Iranian Christian who was supposed to be deported. We were delighted to get the news on the same day that his deportation has been put on hold. However, when will the Government accept that deporting Christians, homosexuals or anyone else whom the objectionable regime in Iran does not like is simply not facing up to our human rights responsibilities?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister): I think that we do face up to our human rights responsibilities, and when there is a proven case on which we can act, we will take action. I do not know about the individual case, but it is important to ensure that the system is used fairly and that decisions are made in the right way at all times.