Historically the term ‘mercenary’ often conjures up the image of an honourable calling, as portrayed in A E Houseman’s poem ‘Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries’. Latterly it has come to be used pejoratively to represent a disreputable profession, sullied by events in such places as the Congo. However. whatever the perspective, it is clear that the term ‘mercenary’ is not a valid description of the Gurkha soldier in the British Army. It is a term resented by the Government of Nepal and one which we undertake under the Tripartite Agreement not to allow to be used.