Brown shifting on Gurkha settlement

LONDON, May 20 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggested Wednesday that he has had a change of heart on allowing Gurkha military veterans to settle permanently in Britain.

During Question Time in the House of Commons, Brown said he now thinks all military veterans could be given settlement rights "in a way that protects the public purse," the BBC reported. Earlier this month, members of Parliament voted to condemn the current restrictive government policy with members of Brown's Labor Party joining opposition members.

Gurkhas, who come from Nepal and northern India, have a long military tradition. Thousands continued to serve in the British Army after India won independence.

Under current rules, Gurkhas who served before 1997 do not have unlimited rights to settle in Britain. The Home Office is expected to announce the details of a new policy Thursday, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The newspaper said the government is likely to restrict the rights of descendants of Gurkha soldiers.

The issue has been an emotional one for Gurkhas and their supporters. Actress Joanna Lumley, whose father commanded Gurkha soldiers, has been a leading campaigner.