Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered naming two of the new Type 26 global combat ships after the cities of Plymouth and Portsmouth.

The Ships' Names and Badges Committee (SNBC) is responsible for considering and assessing possible names for a new ship or class of ship. The Committee considers all names that have been proposed, formally and informally, and presents its recommendations to the Navy Board. The name(s) chosen by the Navy Board are forwarded to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence before being submitted to Her Majesty the Queen for approval. A final decision with regards to this process in respect of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship is not expected until the programme has completed its Assessment Phase and any subsequent investment decisions are complete. The SNBC has noted the proposal to use names HMS PLYMOUTH and HMS PORTSMOUTH.