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Written question asked by Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 17 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 January 2024. It was answered by James Cartlidge (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 January 2024 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

King's Guards: Uniforms

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has taken recent steps to end the use of real bear fur for the King’s Guard’s caps.

Answer

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is open to considering the use of using human-made materials to replace natural fur items where they provide a suitable, affordable and sustainable alternative. As such we are prepared to assess accredited testing results of material to establish whether a synthetic alternative could meet the Department’s requirements for a replacement bearskin cap material.

However, to date, and to the Department’s knowledge, an alternative has yet to meet the standards required to provide an effective replacement for the bearskin ceremonial caps.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10148
Session
2023-24
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Furs Uniforms King's guards
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk