It was announced last month that UK former PoWs and civilian internees held by Japan would each receive �10,000 in compensation for their suffering.

An appalling statement and completely unsustainable

Patrick Nicholls MP

But social security minister Hugh Bayley told the Commons on Monday that the Gurkhas would get nothing because they were employed by the Indian Army at the time of the Second World War.

Responsibility for the wartime Gurkha regiments had passed to the Indian Government on its independence in 1948, and then to the governments of India and Pakistan at partition, he said.

Mr Nicholls said this was an appalling statement and completely unsustainable.

'Shabby beyond words'

"To try and use the date when colonies were given their independence as an excuse to avoid paying compensation to some of the bravest men who ever fought for this country is shabby beyond words.

"The prime minister was keen to take the credit for the original statement, made in the week of Remembrance Day."

Mr Micholls added: "It is now up to him to ensure that the original statement really did mean what it said."