[holding answer 8 January 2008]: Records show that the following ship launches or naming ceremonies took place since 1997. Ministers attended these, as shown. However, information on ministerial attendance prior to 2000 is not currently available.
Date Ship Minister attending 11 March 1997 Penzance — 15 December 1997 Pembroke — 20 February 1998 Ocean — 27 May 1998 Kent — 10 August 1998 Grimsby — 19 September 1998 Vengeance — 16 April 1999 Bangor — 15 May 1999 Portland — 25 November 1999 Ramsey — 6 May 2000 St Albans — 4 July 2000 Blyth — 28 September 2000 Wave knight — 9 February 2001 Wave ruler — 9 March 2001 Albion — 9 April 2001 Shoreham — 15 November 2001 Bulwark — 4 March 2002 Echo — 2 May 2002 Enterprise — 3 September 2002 Tyne — 4 December 2002 Severn — 14 June 2003 Mersey — 1 August 2003 Largs bay — 9 April 2004 Mounts bay Minister for the Armed Forces 8 April 2005 Cardigan bay Minister for the Armed Forces 14 October 2005 Lyme Bay — 1 February 2006 Daring Secretary of State 7 September 2006 Clyde — 23 January 2007 Dauntless Minister for the Armed Forces Minister for Defence Equipment and Support 8 June 2007 Astute Minister for Defence Equipment and Support 27 November 2007 Diamond —