Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the London Scottish Hodden Grey tartan was replaced when the London Scottish regiment adopted the dress of the Scots Guards; and whether this was consistent with the undertaking in the previous defence review concerning further cap badge losses from regiments.

Under Future Soldier, the London Regiment redesignated as 1st Battalion London Guards on 1 May 2022. As part of this change, the four companies within the Regiment have adopted the name, cap badge and dress of their new affiliated Regular Regiment.

In the case of A (London Scottish) Company which redesignated as G (Messines) Company, it has become the Reserve Company of the Scots Guards and has adopted the cap badge and dress of this regiment.

Whilst there has not been a forecast of the impact on recruitment, the redesignation should provide the soldiers in G (Messines) Company with more opportunities to deploy on operations and exercises alongside their regular counterparts. Coupled with the Guards brand, it is therefore expected that there will be a positive impact on recruitment and retention.