Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the potential cost to the public purse was of renaming the new attack submarine from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles.

Potential ship names are proposed by the Royal Navy's Ships Names and Badges Committee who make suggestions based on historical information and civic affiliations. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called “Achilles”. The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships Names and Badges Committee, shared with Ministers and approved by His Majesty the King. As Minister for the Armed Forces, following approval by his Majesty the King, I issued Official Direction to implement the change. There will be a small cost (less than £1000) for the renewing of the Achilles badge. No other costs have been identified for the name change.