PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
BEARSKIN HATS (9 March 2006)

leave out from `bearskin' to end and add `cap worn by the five Regiments of Footguards plays an important part in highlighting the regiments' glorious military traditions and service to the Sovereign throughout the centuries; further notes that the bearskin pelts used for them are sourced from a necessary cull of Canadian bears carried out by the indigenous Inuit people every year; further notes that previous trials of artificial fur have failed to find an appropriate replacement and that many bearskins last for many decades especially after the grooming that guardsmen are required to administer to them; further notes with concern that any attempt to remove the bearskin from the Footguards would mean a loss of one of the British Army's trademark images that identifies them across the world; and uges the Government to commit itself to using genuine bearskin in any future manufacture of the bearskin cap.'.

Sponsored by:
Mr Ben Wallace (Conservative)