Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to his Department was of the recent visit to the MFA Tidespring by Lady Boyce; and whether his Department plans for Lady Boyce to make further such visits.

The cost to the Ministry of Defence of Lady Boyce attending the naming ceremony of RFA Tidespring was £5,418. This includes the cost of transfer to the airport from Lady Boyce's home and the flights of Lord and Lady Boyce to the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Costs of accommodation and transfers within the ROK were funded separately under the contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). The costs of the naming ceremonies arising under the contract are not separately identified.

There are no plans to invite Lady Boyce to act as the Lady Sponsor for the remaining three ships in the class. Lady Boyce will, however, be invited to attend the planned events scheduled for when the ships arrive in the UK.