Written question asked by Rupa Huq (Labour) on Friday, 4 February 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2022 (named day). It was answered by Jeremy Quin (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 February 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Furs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of replacing ceremonial caps made from the skins of bears with ceremonial caps made using faux fur.

Answer: There is currently no faux fur alternative that meets the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence. Our suppliers source pelts made available by the Canadian authorities following a licensed cull as part of a programme to manage the wild bear population; Provincial, territorial, federal and international laws provide strict trade regulations to protect against unlawful trade in black bears both within Canada and internationally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 118592
Session: 2021-22
Related items: Queen's Guards: Uniforms
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Subjects: Armed forces Furs Uniforms Synthetic fibres
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk