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23rd July 2000

Half a million Scouts in the United Kingdom are being asked to comment on ideas for changes to their uniforms. The four month consultation ends in November and the results will be announced in February 2001.

The current uniform was introduced in 1967 when shorts and wide-brimmed hats were phased out. Since then the uniform has remained virtually the same. Many Members of the Scout Movement have already expressed the view that the 33 year old uniform is out of step with modern styles and the requirements of a dynamic, youth driven organisation for girls and boys.

An initial consultation with young Members was held in the Autumn of 1999. They said they wanted a fresh new look they could wear with confidence whilst retaining the basic concepts of a uniform. These views were further developed during a second period of consultation. So far over 2000 Members across the country have contributed to the development of a series of designs which are now being shown to initiate debate and discussion during the consultation process.

100,000 Copies of an illustrated questionnaire are being circulated direct to Scout Groups. Additional copies may be requested from the Scout Information Centre (0845 300 1818). Full details are also published in the August edition of SCOUTING Magazine. The questionnaire can also be downloaded from The Scout Association's website ScoutBaseUK (www.scoutbase.org.uk).

For further information contact: Public Relations (public.relations@scout.org.uk) or look at: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq-info/uniform/index.htm