Actress Joanna Lumley’s admirable stand campaigning for the Ghurkas to be allowed to settle in Britain has certainly stirred up debate (Oxford Mail, April 25). But do they deserve the right to settle here?

Her beef is the Ghurkas cannot meet the Government criteria which makes it harder for them to settle here. Yet immigrants from all over the globe just fill in forms to settle here. The Ghurkas have risked their lives and have a 200 year history of fighting for Britain – including two World Wars, and recent campaigns in the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

They are known as the world’s most fearsome warriors, and their motto is: “Better to die than be a coward.”

These tenacious Nepalese soldiers have earned 13 Victoria Crosses for their outstanding bravery, and that more than qualifies them for the right to settle in Britain. It is ironic they are not allowed to settle here but Afghan hijackers were.

The Government should tighten up immigration procedures, because loopholes allow potential terrorists to walk their way into our country undetected, yet Ghurkas have to meet criteria akin to a never-ending obstacle course.

We all know Britain is only a tiny island, but the Ghurkas have at least earned their right to settle here amid the immigration free-for- all. Britain is considered a soft touch on immigration, but the honourable and brave Ghurka soldiers get a raw deal.

The armed forces and the nationalities that support them are the bravest of the brave and should get the utmost respect and treatment from our government. Soldiers are, however, fighting on a pittance in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ms Lumley is ashamed of our government’s stand over the Ghurka issue, but then the Government falls short on a variety of clear-cut issues.

David Tinson, Moorland Road, Witney