now the uk is to get a new nationalflagship not to be confused with a new royal yacht. the new vessel will host trade fairs, ministerialsummits and diplomatic talks. but not everyone likes the idea and there's been an argument going on within government over who should pay for it. the lords heard that the ministry of defence will be writing a fat cheque. the nuclear deterrent very clearly contributes to the defence of the realm, and its cost to the mod makes sense. what does the minister make of the proposals to have a new royal yacht, which for whatever benefits it might bring to trade or global britain, would appear to bring very little to defence? why should the mod be funding it? laughter. well, what i would say to the noble lady is this, it is not a new royal yacht, it's a new national flagship. in my book, that, i think