British government mulls recommissioning Royal Yacht Britannia
A RECOMMISSIONED Royal Yacht Britannia could be an "important emblem" and "valuable vehicle" to promote British trade after the Brexit vote, says Britain's shipping minister John Hayes.
Mr Hayes told the London Daily Telegraph he is aware of calls that the new vessel would boost Britain's ability to secure deals after leaving the EU and insisted the "door is not closed" on the idea.
While stressing no government decision has yet been made, Mr Hayes became the first figure to go public with interest and will raise the hopes of campaigners.
It comes amid signs of growing ministerial enthusiasm for recommissioning the HMY Britannia after the Daily Telegraph launched a campaign in favour of the plan.
Jake Berry, the Conservative MP behind the idea, said that a new Royal Yacht could help secure trade deals after the Brexit vote.
The original vessel, which decommissioned in 1997, is estimated to have helped secure GBP1 billion (US$1.2 billion) of trade deals between 1991 and 1995.
Said Mr Hayes: "This would be about the post-Brexit world where we need to market Britain overseas to an even greater degree. I can see why some argue for the change.
"The door is not closed, but no decision has been made. It wouldn't be appropriate to comment any further and any decision will be taken at the top level of government."
Two other ministers privately endorsed the proposals. One said he was fully behind The Telegraph's campaign and argued that the time for the Royal Yacht's return had come.
A RECOMMISSIONED Royal Yacht Britannia could be an "important emblem" and "valuable vehicle" to promote British trade after the Brexit vote, says Britain's shipping minister John Hayes.
Mr Hayes told the London Daily Telegraph he is aware of calls that the new vessel would boost Britain's ability to secure deals after leaving the EU and insisted the "door is not closed" on the idea.
While stressing no government decision has yet been made, Mr Hayes became the first figure to go public with interest and will raise the hopes of campaigners.
It comes amid signs of growing ministerial enthusiasm for recommissioning the HMY Britannia after the Daily Telegraph launched a campaign in favour of the plan.
Jake Berry, the Conservative MP behind the idea, said that a new Royal Yacht could help secure trade deals after the Brexit vote.
The original vessel, which decommissioned in 1997, is estimated to have helped secure GBP1 billion (US$1.2 billion) of trade deals between 1991 and 1995.
Said Mr Hayes: "This would be about the post-Brexit world where we need to market Britain overseas to an even greater degree. I can see why some argue for the change.
"The door is not closed, but no decision has been made. It wouldn't be appropriate to comment any further and any decision will be taken at the top level of government."
Two other ministers privately endorsed the proposals. One said he was fully behind The Telegraph's campaign and argued that the time for the Royal Yacht's return had come.