The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not conducted analysis of Ecopel faux fur. A man-made fabric manufactured by Ecopel was passed to an independent testing house by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and those results were shared with the MOD. The analysis showed that the material does not meet the necessary requirements. For further detail on the test analysis, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 May 2022 to Question 4694 to the hon. Member for Newport West (Ruth Jones).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 February 2022 to Question 121824 to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 February 2022 to Question 121824 to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 121824 on 21 February 2022 to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachel Maskell).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 121824 on 21 February 2022 to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachel Maskell). A faux fur alternative has to meet the required standards.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachel Maskell) to Question 121828 on 21 February 2022.

I refer the Member to the answers I provided to Questions 118592 on 10 February 2022 and 87697 on 14 December 2021 respectively.

The most recent contract for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps commenced in August 2018. Suppliers were not invited to offer any alternative options as there are currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the Army’s requirements for these caps.

In 2021, a new contract to supply The Kings Troop Busbys was placed. The Busby is a smaller and lighter cap than the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. The only requirement for the Busbys made from artificial fabric, is that the material has the appropriate weather resistance needed; for it to not change any of its colour characteristics when exposed to light and water.

The most recent contract for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps commenced in August 2018. Suppliers were not invited to offer any alternative options as there are currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the Army’s requirements for these caps.

In 2021, a new contract to supply The Kings Troop Busbys was placed. The Busby is a smaller and lighter cap than the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. The only requirement for the Busbys made from artificial fabric, is that the material has the appropriate weather resistance needed; for it to not change any of its colour characteristics when exposed to light and water.

I refer the Member to the answers I provided to Questions 118592 answered on 10 February 2022.

I refer the Member to the answers I provided to Questions 118592 answered on 10 February 2022.

The Ministry of Defence publishes in arrears details of Ministers' meetings on a quarterly basis on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-with-external-organisations-in-the-ministry-of-defence.

The following details can be found in the returns:

1) The date the Minister attended the meeting.

2) The name of the organisation or individuals who attended the meeting.

3) The purpose of the meeting.

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .

The below table outlines the Department’s spending on Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps over the past seven years:

Since 2015, there have been four synthetic fur test results analysed.

Where appropriate the Ministry of Defence uses faux fur alternatives, providing they meet the specific user requirements. Currently, artificial fur does not meet the necessary requirements or perform to the standard expected of fabric to be used for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps.

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .

There is currently no faux fur alternatives that meet the required standard for the Queen’s Guards ceremonial caps. Bears are never hunted to order for use by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 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.Where appropriate the MOD uses faux fur alternatives for ceremonial wear, providing they meet the specific user requirements.

In order for an alternative fabric to be considered for use in the ceremonial caps, it would need successfully he performin the following five areas: water absorption, penetration, appearance, drying rate and compression. In addition to passing initial laboratory tests, any new fabric would have to gain user approval for shape and comfort for a parade length of duty. This would assess whether the fabric could maintain its shape over timeand whether it is comfortable and safe for the user. For example ensuring any waterproof backing is breathable and whether the alternative fabric is waterproof after the shaping, sewing and perforation during production . Consideration would also be given to its sustainability compared to the current natural fur fabric.

There have been four synthetic furs tested since 2015. The artificial fur tested in 2018 failed in all five areas. Tests conducted in 2019 and 2020 on another two samples showed that, while the water penetration was reduced, it still did not meet the necessary standard. It also performed poorly in the remaining areas. The most recent test results, provided by PETA, have also been analysed . The analysis concluded that the fabric only met one of the five basic requirements necessary to be considered as a viable alternative for ceremonial caps. While it met the basic standard for water penetration, it showed unacceptable rates of water shedding and performed poorly on the visual assessment. Results for the artificial fur’s drying rate and compression were not presented .